Local authorities have been ordered to release details of money paid to brokers by investment managers on behalf of council employees’ pension funds. In what he called ‘a landmark ruling’ the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, decided there was a strong public interest in releasing the information.
He has now issued 36 decision notices, covering 32 local authorities, for disclosure of commission payments under the Freedom of Information Act. 

Partnership working is key to the success of attempts to improve rural services, according to the results of a Government programme published by Defra. It also shows that local councils which show leadership and innovation play an important role in finding ways to deliver better services.
Nine local authorities have been involved in the Rural Delivery Pathfinder programme, working in eight projects to build on improvements already being made. 

By David M. Allen,
Success and failure are closely inter-related, but to achieve continuous improvement there must be a focus on failing. There is a need to argue with success and not to believe that things are working as well as they could. It’s important to seek out evidence of failure, obsessively. Listen to customers. 

New research says that devolving welfare to work policy to local government would be an important step
towards the Government achieving its target of having 80 per cent of people in employment. The study from the New Local Government Network has looked in detail at what is being done by Kent County Council to cut the number of those out of work and it praises the authority’s pioneering approach. 

Social landlords are to play a bigger part in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on housing estates. The Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, is giving housing associations new guidance on improving involvement with Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to assist landlords in dealing with problems such as drinking in public, youth gangs, truancy and drug taking. 

Demographic changes, skills shortages and recent UK legislation on age are having an effect on employment. Research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development highlights the importance for employers to address the challenges presented by an ageing workforce to recruit, retain and engage talent. 

Local authorities in seaside resorts, tourist areas and popular shopping locations fear they will not be able to meet the cost of providing free bus travel for pensioners when the national extension of concessionary fares comes into force. A study carried out by the Local Government Association has highlighted the extent of the problem facing some councils and it is calling for a review of the way the scheme is funded. 

A letter is being sent to all local authorities calling on them to keep up the pressure against unauthorised absences from school by tackling the causes, ensuring good behaviour and making parents accountable. The letter from the Minister for Young People, Kevin Brennan, is being sent in spite of the fact that new figures show persistent absence is falling and overall absence is at its lowest level ever. 

Community cohesion has become an important policy issue in recent years following the race-related disturbances in Oldham, Burnley and Bradford in 2001. This report from Communities and Local Government sets out finding of research into predictors of community cohesion.The report examines the issue at both the individual and the community level.
The principal findings were that ethnic diversity drives cohesion. 

Countryside campaigners are today publishing a paper that they hope will be the springboard for a debate on the future of the countryside. The Campaign to Protect Rural England has also set up an online forum and wants to involve a wide range of people, including local authority planners in reaching a view on a number of key issues.
CPRE President, the author Bill Bryson, said the forum was being launched because the widest possible debate was needed.