The Institute for Public Policy Research North says the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles, is paying lip service to localism which will only be achieved if local councils are raising 50 per cent of their finance from local taxes. At present, 80 per cent comes for central government grants.

The Institute’s report sets out the foundations on which genuine localism must be built. It argues for arrangements which give powers for much greater local financial autonomy. The target should be that local councils raise 50 per cent of funds locally through a reformed local taxation system which combines local income and property taxes.

Read more on THINKTANK CALLS FOR COUNCILS TO RAISE 50 PER CENT OF FUNDS THROUGH LOCAL TAXES…

Research commissioned by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council found that the English public widely value public libraries as a force for good and one that should be provided free.

The research, carried out by Shared Intelligence and Ipsos MORI, provides an up to date picture of what the public wants from library services, and gives a timely pointer to how councils, faced with difficult financial choices, should shape the service for the future.

Three quarters of current users surveyed described libraries as “essential” or “very important” in their lives. Fifty-nine per cent of non users also think libraries play an “important” or “essential” role in the community. But it also suggests that the notion of library users and non-users is an artificial divide and that instead people’s reliance on libraries tends to vary as their life circumstances change, for example through taking up study, becoming unemployed, having children or retiring.

Read more on PUBLIC LIBRARIES HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE NATION’S HEART…

All work is conducted through relationships, and the key to relationships is trust. Yet trust is constantly being broken in the workplace. Sometime’s it’s in spectacular ways with redundancies, sometimes co-workers actively sabotaging others’ work. But far more common, and more insidious, are the small betrayals we all have been guilty of, or subjected to, or both—things like gossiping, missing deadlines, taking credit for other people’s work. Any betrayal, large or small, can end up sapping our energy, commitment and creativity.

Read more on REBUILDING TRUST IN THE WORKPLCE…