Council leaders have warned that using planning powers to control the spread of fast food outlets will not be a silver bullet in the Government’s fight against increasing obesity. Promoting local authority planning powers to limit the spread of outlets in certain areas, such as close to schools, is one element of a 372-million pound cross-Government strategy to deal with the problem. 

Every local authority in England is to get a copy of the first ever code of practice on working with Muslim women. It is being sent out by the Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, who is calling on communities and councils to look at what more they can do to give the women a chance to take a greater part in civic society as well as tackling violent extremism. 

The Beacon Scheme, introduced in 1999 for councils and in 2003 extended to other bodies including police and fire authorities, is designed to improve performance. The scheme aims to share good practice on improvement across local Government and provides for awards to authorities that demonstrate excellence or innovation in specified service themes.