Archives for December 11th, 2007

COUNCILLORS COMMISSION REPORT OPENS DEBATE ON LOCAL DEMOCRACY

Headlines, PublicNet: 11 December, 2007

A new duty could be imposed on councils to publish clear information about how they work and to promote the role of councillors as part of a package of measures to strengthen democracy. Local Government leaders have responded by suggesting the best way to improve voter turn-out at local elections would be to give councils more power.

The new duty is at the heart of recommendations from the Councillors Commission. It says councils must support more active participation through such groups as tenant and residents’ associations and school governing bodies and to equip councillors to act as two-way links between local authorities and their communities.

The Commission’s report, “Representing the Future”, says, “Councillors carry into the council the views of the public and explain the decisions of the council to the public. As such, they must be given the tools to work effectively.” In all it sets out 61 proposals to transform councils and encourage participation in local elections. They include lowering the voting age to 16 and creating regional Local Government Days with all council seats in those areas being contested on the same day. It also stresses that the work of councillors has to be compatible with full-time employment while the role of council leaders should be compatible with part-time work. Dame Jane Roberts, who chairs the Commission, said,” Our democracy faces a major problem of disenchantment and disengagement, at times, even mutual incomprehension between citizen and the state.”

Responding to the report, the chairman of the Local Government Association, Sir Simon Milton, said, “More people would vote at council elections if local authorities had powers to raise and retain more money locally. It is vital, too, that councils communicate effectively with local people.”

Read more on COUNCILLORS COMMISSION REPORT OPENS DEBATE ON LOCAL DEMOCRACY…



ICO TO URGE USE OF PRIVACY IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

Headlines, PublicNet: 11 December, 2007

Public bodies and other organisations will be told today that they must consider the impact on individuals’ privacy before developing new IT systems or making changes to way they handle information. The Information Commissioner’s Office will tell a conference that the recent security breach at HM Revenue and Customs was a watershed.

The event in Manchester, which will debate the surveillance society, will see the launch of Britain’s first privacy impact assessment handbook designed to help organisations address risks to privacy before implementing new initiatives and technologies. David Smith, Deputy Commissioner at the ICO, will tell the conference that carrying out privacy impact assessments will also increase public confidence in data collection.

Mr. Smith will tell delegates that the collection and use of personal information is essential to modern life but many people do not realise that data collection is at the heart of surveillance. “It is essential that before introducing new systems and technologies, which could accelerate the growth of a surveillance society, full consideration is given to the impact on individuals and that safeguards are in place to minimise intrusion,” he said.

The ICO is also to encourage people to take more control over their personal information to guard against identity fraud. Research commissioned by the ICO shows that six out of ten individuals believe they have lost control over how information about them is handled. Mr. Smith said, “Before giving out any personal information we advise individuals to make sure they know who they are giving their details to, why these details are needed and how they will be used.”

Today’s conference will also highlight how privacy enhancing technologies can protect personal information and can help to minimise the amount of information being collected.

Read more on ICO TO URGE USE OF PRIVACY IMPACT ASSESSMENTS…

ESCAPE THE MID-CAREER DOLDRUMS

Book News, PublicNet: 11 December, 2007

By Marcia L. Worthing and Charles A. Buck.

The authors set out a step-by-step process to help get the bored, burned out, retired, or fired, back on track.

Everyone deserves a second chance at a great career. That’s why Escape the Mid-Career Doldrums offers a step-by-step process that will help mid-career professionals get back on track. Whether the reason is downsizing, poor job decisions, too much stress, lack of job security, or looming retirement, millions of mid-career professionals are unhappy and need a change. This handy guide is for anyone in the same situation-bored, burned out, retired, or fired-who wants to turn their professional life around.

Read more on ESCAPE THE MID-CAREER DOLDRUMS…

© PublicNet is a KnowShare production | Technology by Jag Singh + Hilton & Hilton Ltd | Admin Log in