New figures show that only one in eight people have served on a public body and that the majority of them are men from white backgrounds. Now a new campaign is being led by the Government Equalities Office and the Cabinet Office to encourage a more diverse group of people to apply for public appointments and so better reflect the communities they serve.
Read more on CAMPAIGN AIMS TO MAKE PUBLIC APPOINTEES MORE REPRESENTATIVE…
The Government has named the nine local councils which it will work with to develop a programme of action to tackle climate change. The Communities Secretary, John Denham, said radical action by local authorities to drive down carbon emissions would cut fuel bills and reduce global warming.
By Alister Humphreys
The problem with data collected by police officers is that it can be incomplete or just wrong. Sometimes people give false information and sometimes errors creep in. The author explains how by linking to other databases the new data can be cross checked and amplified to give an accurate and fuller picture.
A call is being made today for investments and improvements to protect Green Belt Land. The first major survey of the environmental state of the land is published today by Natural England and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
Read more on CALL FOR INVESTMENTS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN GREEN BELT…
Local authorities are being urged to take action to deal with a record number of reports about roads damaged by potholes following the recent bad weather. The cycling organisation CTC says its pothole recording website has received more reports this month than any other and there are still three days left until the end of January.
Read more on CALL FOR ACTION OVER RECORD NUMBER OF POTHOLES…
This survey by the Audit Commission reveals the impact of the recession on demand for benefits and how councils are responding.
Caseloads increased by 7.1 per cent in all types of council and all regions between April 2008 and April 2009. The increases ranged from 0.2 to 28 per cent.
Read more on TESTING TIMES: SURVEY OF EFFECT OF RECESSSION ON BENEFIT SERVICES…
Local authorities have called on the bodies that inspect them to put detailed figures on the extent to which they will cut the burden they place on councils in the coming year. The Local Government Association has published an analysis of the first year of Comprehensive Area Assessment and a list of requirements to ensure the inspection regime achieves everything it was meant to.
Read more on COUNCILS WANT FIGURES ON EASING OF INSPECTION BURDEN…
A coalition of campaign groups is calling for the next Government to rethink transport priorities. They have produced a manifesto, ‘Improving Everyday Transport’, which says shifting the focus to local public transport would lead to savings and help the environment.
Read more on FOCUS ON LOCAL TRANSPORT SCHEMES ‘COULD CUT COSTS AND CARBON’…
Young people from deprived neighbourhoods are being involved in local community projects designed to help them raise their ambitions, broaden their horizons, and unlock their talents. The projects include youngsters helping local builders and a ballet company.
Read more on COMMUNITY PROJECTS BOOST AMBITION OF YOUNG PEOPLE…
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