Councils should be making better use of their powers to pursue policies and projects to improve the economic well being of the communities they serve, according to the Commission for Rural Communities. It has launched two reports explaining economic well-being and giving guidance on how the concept can be used.

Read more on COUNCILS URGED TO DO MORE TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC WELL BEING…

Mistakes are being made in drug treatments given to a large number of children in hospital, according to a report today. It says the errors arise either when drugs are prescribed or when they are given to patients and while most of the mistakes were unlikely to cause serious harm, a small number were potentially fatal.

Read more on CALL FOR STEPS TO CUT ERRORS IN CHILDRENS’ DRUG TREATMENTS…

This document sets out lessons on empowerment based on an analysis of where the process has worked. Its aim is to enable policy makers and practitioners to develop workable activities for empowerment underpinned by a sound evidence base. It covers the areas of asset transfer, citizen governance, electronic participation, participatory budgeting, petitions and redress.

Read more on EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES TO INFLUENCE LOCAL DECISION MAKING…