Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has written to the Audit Commission asking them to repeal guidance on bin collections. The Commission recently issued a Quick Guide to Waste Management which could be interpreted as a threat to councils that they could be ‘marked down’ if they did not adopt fortnightly collections.
Read more on WEEKLY BIN COLLECTIONS WILL SURVIVE – IN SOME PLACES…
By Henry L. Thompson.
The author reveals the powerful and undermining effects of stress on good decision making, and what leaders can do about it.
The ability to make sound and timely decisions is the mark of a good leader. But when leaders with otherwise strong track records suddenly begin making poor decisions, as seen in the recent corporate scandals, the impact can be widespread. In The Stress Effect, leadership expert Henry L. Thompson argues that stress is often the real culprit behind this leadership failure. When leaders’ stress levels become sufficiently elevated, whether in the boardroom or on the front line of a manufacturing process, their ability to effectively use their emotional intelligence and cognitive ability in tandem to make wise decisions is significantly impaired.
Read more on THE STRESS EFFECT: WHY SMART LEADERS MAKE DUMB DECISIONS…
A motoring organisation has claimed a number of local authorities are about to scrap road safety partnerships because of public spending cuts. The RAC Foundation said it had seen a letter from ‘the top official to people prominent in the road safety arena’ and it warned that the impact of such a decision would be measured in lives lost on the roads.
Read more on ROAD SAFETY PARTNERSHIPS SET TO BE SCRAPPED CLAIM…
A big push is beginning in Wales to encourage more people to use the internet. The Welsh Assembly Government is asking for views on how this can be done as part of its wider consultation on the Welsh Digital Inclusion Framework, which aims to help people gain the skills and confidence to get online.
Finance functions across the public sector need to up their game in the face of upcoming public spending cuts, according to a new PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP report. “A place at the top table? Raising Finance’s game in the Public Sector” highlights the limited strategic role played by the finance function in the management of public sector organizations
Read more on FINANCE FUNCTIONS STRUGGLE TO SUPPORT SPENDING CUTS…
A report today says public sector workers not only have better pay than people in the private sector but also enjoy shorter hours, earlier retirement and better pensions. The study from the Policy Exchange also puts the size of the public sector at more than seven million people.
Read more on NEW REPORT SAYS PUBLIC SECTOR STAFF WORK LESS FOR BETTER PAY…
Local authorities should be given more responsibility for policing and health care as part of a package of measures that would see a devolved, locally-focused system for public service delivery. The ideas are set out in a paper from the New Local Government Network which says scrapping entitlements offered to service users is a step in the right direction.
Read more on THINK TANK BACKS LOCALLY-FOCUSED SYSTEM OF SERVICE DELIVERY…
The number of young people described as not in employment education or training (NEETs) is continuing to grow. Engaging young people who are isolated, disadvantaged, at risk, or uninspired is a major challenge. The author describes how in Thurrock, an urban area east of London, the challenge is being met by introducing them to theatre.
Local authorities need more information about home education and better understanding of it so they can provide effective support for children who are being taught at home, according to Ofsted in a report today. Inspectors, who visited 15 local council areas in England, say that most families are positive about being monitored and guided by local authorities.
Read more on OFSTED SAYS COUNCILS NEED MORE UNDERSTANDING OF HOME SCHOOLING…
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is facing enforcement notice by the Information Commissioner after failing to resolve 69 freedom of information requests within the legal timeframe. The Commissioner says the IPCC has repeatedly failed to respond to requests in line with the Freedom of Information Act.
Read more on INFORMATION ENFORCEMENT ORDER ‘STRONG SIGNAL’ TO ALL AUTHORITIES…
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