PLANNERS FACE NEW MEASURES IN MOVE TO ZERO-CARBON HOMES

Planning authorities are being issued with a set of new measures designed to put tackling climate change at the heart of the planning system and the way we build new homes. The proposals have been unveiled by the Communities Secretary, Ruth Kelly, who described them as challenging for planners and housebuilders.

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STUDY CALLS FOR URGENT ACTION TO IMPROVE NHS MANAGEMENT

Chronically poor management and dysfunctional bureaucracy are hindering the performance of the National Health Service, according to a new report today. It claims that a lack of a vision of change and poor quality of management in the NHS and the Department of Health are leading to resources being wasted and reforms being delayed. It argues that moves towards a higher quality service, offering better value for money, depend directly on a transformation in the quality of its management.

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This report from the Audit Commission focuses on external factors contributing to school success. It considers the vital links between school performance and the communities schools serve. It offers examples of good practice, for instance, where partnership working has been successful and provides a self-assessment questionnaire. It is intended primarily for officers and elected members in councils and their partner organisations and for senior managers and governors in schools.Traditional school improvement activity has tended to concentrate on teaching and learning, but the report concentrates on key service areas including regeneration and renewal, social housing, community safety, arts, sports and recreation services and youth services.

Read more on MORE THAN THE SUM: MOBILISING THE WHOLE COUNCIL AND ITS PARTNERS TO SUPPORT SCHOOL SUCCESS…