A committee of the Scottish Parliament is looking into the future management of schools and the possibility of changing the way they are controlled by local authorities. The Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee is asking for people’s views on the issue.

Read more on SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT WANTS VIEWS ON COUNCIL CONTROL OF SCHOOLS…

This report from the Young Foundation and the IDeA highlights that promoting and influencing happiness is no longer just an aspiration. As the recession forces difficult public spending choices, services focused on wellbeing are delivering widespread economic and social benefits, especially to children.

Read more on THE STATE OF HAPPINESS: CAN PUBLIC POLICY SHAPE WELLBEING AND RESILIENCE?…

The Commission for Rural Communities has called on councils to adopt participatory budgeting so that communities can be involved in spending decisions. The call comes after a successful trial in rural areas by the Participatory Budgeting Unit.

Read more on WATCHDOG WANTS COUNCILS TO GIVE RURAL COMMUNITIES A SAY IN SPENDING DECISIONS…

Councils are starting to use social networks like Facebook and Twitter to put out information to residents and businesses when local emergencies arise. This move of local government into social media is reported by The Society of IT Management in ‘Twitter Gritters’.

Read more on COUNCILS MAKING GREATER USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR EMERGENCY INFORMATION…

Contributors from the public and private sectors offer opinions on how best to manage the cuts.

Views include looking at the role of Quangos and Regional Development Agencies to see what policy areas could go to consortia of local authorities.

Read more on HOW WILL PUBLIC SPENDING CUTS BE MANAGED?…

Councils will struggle to cope with the financial challenge posed by England’s ageing population and may miss opportunities to innovate and save, says a new report from the Audit Commission.

Under Pressure says most councils do not know enough about the costs of their ageing population. They may also miss the savings that could flow from preventive services and better work with other organisations ‘Most older people live at home, not in care homes. And the longer they do, the happier they are and the less they cost the taxpayer. Innovative, personalised services mean older people stay independent longer, saving public money.

Read more on WATCHDOG WANTS COUNCILS TO BE MORE IMAGINATIVE IN PROVIDING CARE FOR OLDER PEOPLE…

The Early Years Single Funding Formula, which aims to give a clearer and more consistent system of childcare funding, has progressed from 9 pilots to 56 pathfinder councils. The full roll out will be completed in April 2011.

Read more on NEW FORMULA FOR EARLY YEARS FUNDING GOES FROM PILOT TO PATHFINDER…

By Rob Marcus

The public sector, councillors and MPs are lagging behind other European countries in the uptake of social media initiatives. The author looks at the benefits social media has to offer to councils and local and national politicians.

Read more on PUBLIC SECTOR SHOULD WISE UP AND TAKE THE ‘SOCIAL MEDIA PLUNGE’…

The 13 total Place pilot projects which have looked at how public money is spent in a local area and how it can be used more efficiently to improve local services have delivered their reports to ministers. They show that focusing on the customer and cutting out duplication and overlap will open the way for radical changes to public services which will bring improvements at a lower cost.

Read more on RADICAL CHANGE AND LOWER COSTS EMERGING FROM TOTAL PLACE PILOT PROJECTS…

Central Bedfordshire and Luton is the first of 13 Total Place pilot projects to publish its findings. The report has more than 50 proposals to cut crime and improve the welfare benefits system. The project has also paved the way for future profitable collaboration between public services including local councils, central government and voluntary organisations.

Read more on TOTAL PLACE PILOT DELIVERS BETTER SERVICES IN BEDFORDSHIRE…