Health and social care commissioning in Blackburn with Darwen is now in a combined organisation, following the creation of a ‘Care Trust Plus’.

The new organisation began operating this month, replacing the current primary care trust and integrating staff and services from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

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Housing and Planning Minister John Healey has proposed giving parish councils planning powers to build affordable homes.

The proposals, which are yet to be consulted on, would allow a limited number of affordable homes to be built in villages without the need for individual planning applications, if the parish council backed the new homes.

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This programme is now available to view on localgov.tv the online television channel for public service modernisation. It looks at how NHS Lothian has significantly reduced wastage and made a 20 per cent improvement in efficiency by employing Mala Communications to manage their telecoms costs. It also explores how other public sector organisations can benefit from the service

Read more on MANAGING TELECOMS COSTS…