The Advisory Panel for the Beacon Scheme is looking for suggestions on themes for rounds nine and ten. Each year, authorities apply for beacon status in a variety of themes. Those that are chosen as beacons then engage in an extensive period of dissemination activity, whereby their policies and practices, initiatives and change processes are publicised and policy makers and practitioners alike are given unprecedented access to beacon officers and members.The Advisory Panel is consulting the local government community on subjects for future Beacon themes. What are the challenges you face? In which service or policy areas do you want the opportunity to learn from the best authorities? The Beacon Scheme exists to facilitate the sharing of excellent practice so that best value authorities can learn from one another. Stimulating and supporting service improvement is the scheme’s aim.
The problem of homelessness in Britain is getting worse according to the charity Shelter, which today launches a report demonstrating how homelessness has deepened since the organization was founded in 1966. It cites the reduction in council and other social house-building as a major factor.The charity is using its 40th year to highlight the current crisis, which it says is trapping more than a million children in bad housing. That problem, the report says, has developed because of what it calls “a massive decline in levels of social house building.”
Council leaders have welcomed proposals that will see local authorities playing a greater strategic role in increasing recycling of business waste. They are calling for adequate funding to achieve recycling targets, a programme for all councils to learn from the best – and groundbreaking ways of tackling waste such as parents to opt for reusable nappies rather than disposables.The Local Government Association has reacted to government proposals for increased recycling by pointing to the achievements already made by a number of councils. Meanwhile environmental campaigners have urged the government to drop what they call ‘its love affair with municipal waste incinerators.