The Audit Commission is likely to extend new style short notice inspections to council housing services and Arms Length Management Associations. The extension is also likely to include other services such as homelessness. The Commission has already decided to introduce short notice inspection for Housing Associations. 

The charity TAG (Transforming a Generation) has called on local government to help fund projects for getting young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs) into work.
The pilot programme was launched on 22 September in West London and the first part, which concentrates on employability, has just been completed. The young people are now into the second part which focuses on gym based learning and training. 

By Peter J Reed
The author argues that leadership is about converting vision into reality via strategic thinking and co-ordinated action. It is about defining and clarifying a vision and inspiring others not only to ’sign up’ to the vision, but to commit themselves enthusiastically to sharing responsibility for the process of implementing it.