This LocalGovTV programme provides a timely update on early preparations for Adult Services following the introduction of the Green Paper. It combines panel discussions, interviews and case studies to provide the first hand experience of those authorities already planning and starting to re-organise for adult services and those trialling and implementing new, electronic social care records. It also provides the latest guidance from the representative bodies providing support to these initiatives.The programme is available at: http://www.egovtv.tv/programmes/Adult%20Services%20Early%20Experiences%20Forward%20Views

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The Workforce Hub, one of the six national hubs of expertise under the Government’s ChangeUp programme, has received funding to carry out its business plan to develop the skills and good employment practice in the community and voluntary sector. As an immediate result the Hub will begin recruiting additional staff this week.The announcement of funding came in a letter from the Home Office’s Active Communities Directorate. The money will fund the Hub’s activities for two years. The Hub, promotes and supports skills development and good practice to aid recruitment, retention and development of staff, volunteers and trustees and builds on the work of the former Voluntary Sector National Training Organisation.

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New figures suggest that public perceptions of ‘cronyism’ in public appointments are misguided. In her annual report the Commissioner for Public Appointments, Baroness Fritchie, said there had been a further fall in the number of people appointed and re-appointed to public office who declared political activity.It is the third year in a row that the figures have shown a fall in the number of appointees active in politics. The proportion in 2004-05 was 14.4 per cent compared with 15.2 per cent the year before, and the lowest level since 1997. The fall was reflected in those appointed to both the chairs and membership of bodies.

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