Schools in Wales have been told they could make an extra 20 million pounds a year available for education if they take steps to save money on buying everyday equipment such as stationery and photocopiers. Andrew Davies, the Welsh Assembly Minister for Finance and Public Service Delivery is urging them to get better value.
Mr. 

The Government’s facing a call from local authorities to clarify its position on allowing councils to charge for rubbish collections as a way of encouraging householders to recycle more. The plea from the Local Government Association came as the Government seemed to be defending its plans to allow ‘pay as you throw’ schemes in spite of reports that it had shelved the idea. 

This report from Communities and Local Government describes how the structural changes made by councils in 2000 to enhance executive decision-making has led to more visible and effective leadership, faster decision-making and better public services.Most authorities, 81 per cent, opted for the leader cabinet system, 3% for mayoral systems and the remaining 59 smaller authorities, 15 percent, chose to maintain streamlined committee systems in alternative arrangements authorities. 

There has been a call for the proposed new body taking over the regulation of health and adult social care services to ensure that it involves people who use care services and puts them at the centre of its work. The Commission for Social Care Inspection said it would be looking to the new Care Quality Commission to continue making progress in that area. 

Shortcomings in the way that population figures are estimated are causing problems for local councils, according to the Chairman of the Local Government Association, Sir Simon Milton. 

Reforms affecting the school workforce, particularly the reduction in teachers’ overall hours, have resulted in a revolutionary shift in workforce culture, with clear benefits for many schools. 

Staff at Bristol City Council have become the first ever European winners of a major American award. The council’s Corporate Procurement team have carried off the US National Purchasing Institute Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award, which recognises excellence in public procurement by measuring innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement and leadership. 

New research has shown overwhelming public backing for tough action against anyone who assaults social care staff. More than half the people questioned would support benefit cuts and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders for those responsible. At the same time figures show there were more than 4,000 assaults on care staff in just 12 local authority areas in a single year. 

This report has been described as a great tool for policymakers, volunteer managers and anyone who wants hard evidence of the impact that volunteers can have in priority areas of social policy. It provides evidence for the success of volunteering, but voices the weariness of volunteers at the Government’s approach to volunteering. 

Local authorities are being reminded of their obligations under the Data Protection Act to protect people from identity theft by restricting the amount of personal information which they publish on their websites. It follows a complaint against a Scottish council that was upheld by the Information Commissioner’s Office.