LABOUR CHAIR WANTS MORE POWER FOR LOCAL COUNCILS IN ‘DEFENCE OF POLITICS’

The chair of the Labour Party, Hazel Blears, has called for any future extension of state funding for political parties to encourage activity at local level to end the slide towards a position where ‘people in local politics are increasingly viewed as a quirky anachronism”. Ms Blears, who’s one of the candidates for the deputy leadership of her party, said Government needed to devolve more powers to a local level as a step to getting back in touch with people.

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CALL FOR INVESTMENT IN CARE WORKORCE AS HOMES SHARE IMPROVEMENT FUND

Thousands of care homes are to undergo improvements such as the provision of internet and e-mail access to their residents following the creation of a 67.75 million pound refurbishment fund by the department of Health. Local authorities have agreed to share the money between 6,949 care homes to meet the Department’s aim of spreading the capital as widely as possible among providers but there has been a warning that there also needs to be investment in the workforce in care homes.

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By Louis ApplebyEmployment, housing and a strong social network are as important to a person’s mental health as the treatment they receive. Louis Appleby, the National Director for Mental Health, explains why we have to continue to improve community care and break down the barriers that can prevent people from rebuilding their lives

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COUNCILS GET FUNDS FOR INNOVATIVE WORK TO INVOLVE PARENTS IN EARLY EDUCATION

Forty one local authorities are to receive special funding which is being targeted at councils in disadvantaged areas, to help parents get more involved in their children’s first years in education. In all nine million pounds is being made available so the authorities can develop new ideas on how to connect with parents and to build on the success of existing initiatives such as children’s centres.

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A report today says some people caring for sick and disabled relatives and friends are having to give up their jobs, sell their homes, cut essential spending and even sacrifice their pensions. “Real change, not short change”, produced by Carers UK is calling for a full review of incomes and services for carers and their families.

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This programme is now available to view on egovtv.tv, the online television channel for public service modernisation. It reviews progress and approaches to successful shared services projects across a range of citizen-facing and back-office services. The programme includes an expert panel, interviews and case studies examining how authorities and other public bodies are tackling the political, organisational and technical challenges to come together to share services.In this case study Suffolk County Council and Mid Suffolk District Council provide insight into their approach to share many services and how they have tackled the thorny issues of local politics, shared objectives, trust and governance to realise significant savings and improved service to citizens through a genuine partnership.

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WASTE STRATEGY ‘LEAVES QUESTIONS UNANSWERED’

Vital questions about how to cut dramatically the amount of rubbish being generated have been left unanswered by the Government’s Waste Strategy for England, according to the Local Government Association. It is concerned, too, that recycling targets have been increased and that these will be unreachable without proper investment.

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COUNCILS URGED TO ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITIES TO BOOST SATISFACTION LEVELS

Councils are being urged to use new devolutionary powers to ensure their local communities are engaged with them and to improve public satisfaction with local government. Phil Woolas, the Local Government Minister, said although services were improving rapidly only just over half of people were satisfied with the way their council ran things and new figures from the Best Value User Satisfaction survey would show a continuing decline in satisfaction since 2000.

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By Charlene O’Connor The Leitch Review put skills development at the heart of economic success because it is one of the vital pillars supporting economic growth. Scottish Enterprise examined the skills-related challenges faced by employers to find out where intervention would be beneficial and what form it should take. The author describes how from this better understanding it has challenged the training market to match the training needs with targeted and efficient products.

NEW FUNDING TO BUILD MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE LINKS WITH ETHNIC MINORITY COMMUNITIES

More than a million pounds is being made available to fund 40 new projects across England as part of a drive to build stronger links between local mental health services and people in black and ethnic minority communities. A first wave of community engagement sites has already been set up to work with communities and service providers to raise awareness of mental health issues, reduce levels of fear and improve support for patients and their carers.

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