Archives for March 2010

WATCHDOG WARNS JOINT WORKING EFFICIENCY SAVINGS CARRY RISK

Headlines, PublicNet: 31 March, 2010

Efficiency savings which depend on partners carry a much greater risk and the Audit Commission is concerned that some expectations will not be met. Councils are planning for savings of between 1 and 15 per cent over the next three to five years, but progress towards these targets is very variable.

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TACKLING CRIME WITH TECHNOLOGY

Headlines, PublicNet: 31 March, 2010

Funding given to the police in April 2009 to deter criminals and increase the prospect of conviction is now delivering results. The technology they bought included automatic number plate recognition systems, tracking equipment, forensic scanners, intruder alarms, CCTV and property marking kits.

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SOCIAL MEDIA AND PUBLIC BODIES

Abstracts, PublicNet: 31 March, 2010

This programme is now available to view on localgov.tv the online television channel for public service modernisation. It describes how Northamptonshire County Council and Parity Solutions have successfully worked in partnership to develop a platform for the use of social media tools within the Council and for engaging citizens in service redesign.

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CROSS BOUNDARY COST SAVING MADE BY IMPROVING HOMES

Headlines, PublicNet: 30 March, 2010

Investment in council housing stock can bring substantial savings beyond local government. The Decent Homes programme has brought up to standard some 250,000 council properties managed by arms length oraganisations with widespread benefits to the NHS and police as well as to residents.

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NEED TO PROMOTE LEARNING IN PUBLIC SECTOR

Headlines, PublicNet: 30 March, 2010

A survey by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills found that over a third of those working in the public sector haven’t learnt a new activity or hobby, in the past 12 months. Eight per cent haven’t read a book for pleasure in this period.

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THE POWER OF COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS: SIX PRINCIPLES AND EFFECTIVE TOOLS FOR BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

Book News, PublicNet: 30 March, 2010

By Tom Wolff

In this groundbreaking book, Tom Wolff spells out six proven principles for creating collaborative solutions for healthy communities. The Power of Collaborative Solutions addresses contemporary social problems by helping people of diverse circumstances and backgrounds work together to solve community challenges. Filled with clear principles, illustrative stories, and practical tools, this book shows how to make lasting change really happen.

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COUNCILS URGED TO USE NEW LEVY POWERS ON DEVELOPMENTS

Headlines, PublicNet: 29 March, 2010

New measures have been unveiled to speed up planning decisions and to encourage local authorities to make use of a power being introduced soon to raise funds from developers to support local developments. The new guidance will help councils set up a Community Infrastructure Levy when new regulations come into effect after Easter.

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CITY COUNCIL TO TEST OUT SMARTCARD TECHNOLOGY

Headlines, PublicNet: 29 March, 2010

A city council has joined forces with university researchers to test Smartcard technology on local bus services. The trial in Bristol has been organised ahead of the launch of a regional scheme which is due to be funded by the Government.

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SURVEY FINDS COUNCIL WEBSITES NOT READY FOR SHIFT TO SELF SERVICE

Abstracts, PublicNet: 29 March, 2010

The Society of IT Management report ‘Better Connected’ concludes that the majority of council websites are not yet good enough to support the major shift to self-service required to mitigate the impact of budget cuts on service levels and satisfaction.

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RADICAL PLANS WOULD END ‘DISCREDITED’ HOUSING SUBSIDY SYSTEM

Headlines, PublicNet: 26 March, 2010

Details of a new deal for the funding council housing have been set out in a scheme which opens the way for authorities to run their homes without central Government subsidy. It includes plans to dismantle the current Housing Revenue Account system of funding council housing in 177 local authority areas.

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