Edited by Hugh Bochel and Sue Duncan.The book is set in the context of the Government’s emphasis on ‘modernisation’, and it reflects the growing emphasis on policy making as a skill. It combines both academic and practitioner perspectives to provide critical consideration of contemporary policy-making and highlights examples of good practice at all levels of government. 

The last year has seen more than 30 per cent of waste being recycled, the first time that figure has been reached. There was also a fall in the amount of rubbish being disposed of in landfill sites, but councils are warning that Britain is still ‘the dustbin of Europe ’. 

Local authorities in 13 sub-regions of England are working on plans to increase jobs, improve transport and push up investment and housing through greater co-operation. The regions, named by Communities Secretary Hazel Blears at the Core Cities Summit in Nottingham, could be given new powers to collaborate in promoting prosperity and development.
Each of the 13 areas is producing its own plans to tackle what it sees as the key local issues without having to follow a centrally imposed approach.