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.

Read more on AUTHORITIES ORDERED TO RELEASE DETAILS OF PENSION FUND COMMISSION PAYMENTS…

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.

Read more on PRAISE FOR COUNCILS’ ROLE IN RURAL PATHFINDER PROGRAMME…

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. The danger is being blinded by success, rather than thinking carefully about the measures employed and ensuring that some of them might better be characterised as ‘failure measures’. From this approach it is possible to learn that not everything is working as well as it could be. There are always ways to get better. Today’s success is just a level of failure as yet unrealized.

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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.

Read more on CALL FOR BIGGER ROLE FOR COUNCILS IN WELFARE TO WORK…

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.

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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.

Read more on MANAGING AN AGEING WORKFORCE…

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.

Read more on COUNCILS WANT REVIEW OF FUNDING FOR NATIONWIDE FREE TRAVEL SCHEME…

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.

Read more on AUTHORITIES TOLD TO KEEP UP PRESSURE ON SCHOOL…

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.

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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.

Read more on PLANNERS INVITED TO JOIN DEBATE ON FUTURE OF COUNTRYSIDE…