Four out of five people are favourable towards the use of directed surveillance powers in their local area according to research commissioned by the New Local Government Network.

Strongest support comes for using surveillance techniques such as covert video recording to tackle anti-social behaviour, drug-dealing and theft. However the survey found that the public are less favourable towards councils using the technology to check whether residents are putting their bin out on time or living in the right school catchment area. Support for these activities dropped below 1 in 5.

Read more on SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS GET PUBLIC SUPPORT…

By Thomas M. Tripp, Robert J. Bies

The authors educate employees and managers about the right and wrong ways to deal with workplace conflict, specifically revenge. They have amassed dozens of lively stories, insights and counter-intuitive truths to bring to the book. Not only will managers and employees find this information useful and entertaining, but most readers will find applications in their home lives as well as in their work lives.

Read more on GETTING EVEN: THE TRUTH ABOUT WORKPLACE REVENGE…

Plans to ensure companies working on the Government’s school rebuilding programme take on apprentices will be unveiled in Parliament today. Meanwhile the Skills Secretary, John Denham, has said the public sector needs to do more to create apprenticeships.

Read more on PUBLIC SECTOR ‘MUST TAKE LEAD’ IN CREATING APPRENTICESHIPS…

Local authorities are warning that there could be five million people on council house waiting lists in a year’s time. The warning came from the Local Government Association in response to figures showing a sharp rise in the number of homes being repossessed.

Read more on COUNCIL HOUSE WAITING LIST WARNING AS HOME REPOSSESSIONS RISE…

ICT managers have bigger budgets, more staff and greater influence over the future development of services. This is the conclusion of the latest edition of the Society of IT Management’s annual IT Trends survey.

Read more on TECHNOLOGY TRENDS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT…

Councils have been told they need to look at how to make every pound they spend stretch as far as possible. The call has come from the the Local Government Minister, John Healey, following the publication of a review by former Westminster Council Chief Executive Bill Roots who has been looking at the procurement of goods, services and capital items to identify ways to make further savings.

Read more on COUNCILS URGED TO SPRING CLEAN PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS IN SEARCH FOR SAVINGS…

A charity which aims to help local education authorities to fill vacancies for school governors is urging more young people to take on the role. School Governors’ One Stop Shop is campaigning for 18 to 25-year-olds to become governors in schools across England.

Read more on CHARITY CALLS ON STUDENTS TO BECOME SCHOOL GOVERNORS…

By Glenn Arradon and Steve Wyler.

Repeated efforts are being made to understand the factors that create and sustain poverty at the local level and the Development Trusts Association is playing a prominent part. Development trusts, which are community-based enterprises, can give those without power a voice and access to resources and decision-making. The authors describe how trusts are acting as a driver for service improvement and for supporting local wealth generation.

Read more on WHAT ROLE FOR COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE IN TACKLING POVERTY?…

Managers from the public sector in Wales will have the chance to join a groundbreaking doctorate programme for leading practitioners in the field of sustainable development. The Welsh Assembly Government has announced a joint initiative with Glamorgan Business School to offer bursaries towards tuition fees.

Read more on SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DOCTORATE OPEN TO WELSH PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGERS…

A think tank has given a broad welcome to Conservative proposals for the future of local government. Meanwhile parish and town councils have said they want to explore what their role may be in the plans and environmental campaigners have questioned the idea of financial incentives to councils for housing developments.

Read more on CONCERNS RAISED OVER DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE IDEA…