An increasing number of communities are becoming involved in the fight against crime as police forces implement policing pledges. A key feature of the pledge is that it allows people to have a stronger voice on local crime priorities.

Read more on COMMUNITIES GET THEIR SAY ON PRIORITIES FOR TACKLING CRIME…

A second wave of Pacesetter schemes has been launched to implement innovative new ways of helping people from marginalized communities cope with diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

The overall aim of the programme is to deliver equality and diversity improvements and innovations resulting in patient and user involvement in the design and delivery of services. The programme is designed to reduce health inequalities for patients and service users and to promote working environments that are fair and free of discrimination

Read more on MORE SCHEMES TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF PEOPLE IN DEPRIVED AREAS…

By Ossie Hopkins

This article was first published in Public Management and Policy and is reproduced by permission of the Association. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pmpa/index.cfm

Attitudes to customer service are changing. The customer is no longer passive and grateful for what is received, but demanding with a growing sense of empowerment. In the midst of this fundamental social change it is not sufficient to simply ‘improve’ customer service. A more radical approach has to be adopted. The author describes the role of the Institute of Customer Service in fostering skills and promoting innovation in developing new models of service delivery.

Read more on TOWARDS GOOD SERVICE…