Council leaders have again drawn attention to the environmental impact of disposable nappies and the cost to councils of dealing with them in spite of research which shows they may be no worse for the environment than traditional cloth ones. It is estimated by councils that about eight million nappies are thrown away every day in the United Kingdom.

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The Treasury is to make changes to the Bellwin scheme, which provides emergency financial aid to local authorities to help meet the cost of of immediate action to safeguard life or property. Officials will also have a high level meeting this week with the Association of British Insurers to discuss the industry’s approach to meeting the expected 1.5 billion pounds in claims as a result of recent floods.

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Communities and Local Government have launched a Strategic Partners programme to engage with key third sector organizations. These include all non-governmental organisations that are value driven and which principally reinvest their surpluses to further social, environmental or cultural objectives. It includes voluntary and community organisations, charities, social enterprises, cooperatives and mutuals as well as housing associations.The programme envisages the development of a network of strategic partners who pursue objectives which are in line with the priorities of Communities and Local Government and who operate at a national level in supporting local action. Strategic Partners will be encouraged to support specific areas of the Department’s responsibilities and the overall vision.

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