Archives for November 2010

BENEFIT CUTS AND RISING RENTS LEADING TO FUEL POVERTY WARNS THINKTANK

Headlines, PublicNet: 22 November, 2010

Households in social housing could fall into fuel poverty because of government cuts to benefits and increased rents according to the New Local Government Network.

The Government has recently announced a 10 per cent cut in the council tax benefit budget, and have also said that those claiming jobseekers allowance for over a year will have their housing benefit cut by 10 per cent. There are currently 3.1 million social housing residents in receipt of means tested benefits in England, including 2.7 million who receive housing benefits. Around 4.9 million across all tenures receive council tax benefit, and a high proportion of social housing tenants are likely to qualify for this owing to their low incomes
The NLGN has warned that 1.1 million households could be affected by the cuts combined with plans to charge 80% of private sector rent for new social housing tenants.

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CALL TO INTEGRATE SOCIAL HOUSING PROCUREMENT

Headlines, PublicNet: 22 November, 2010

The unprecedented budget cuts across the public sector make it imperative to review social housing procurement to encourage more integrated working.

Procure Plus, the North West regeneration social housing consortium, has called for greater collaboration in the housing sector following the recent Comprehensive Spending Review. The consortium believes the CSR should be the trigger for a positive review of social housing procurement to encourage more integrated working.

Registered providers of social housing have been urged to work more closely with other agencies and the construction industry, especially when it comes to the purchase of building materials and services.

The call comes against the background in the housing sector for organisations, and to some extent, individuals, to work independently.

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INTEGRATING COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT WITH SERVICE DELIVERY

Abstracts, PublicNet: 22 November, 2010

This guide from LG Improvement and Development shows how councils are using information from community engagement to inform the ways services are planned and delivered. It includes a range of examples that show the variety of approaches that councils have used.

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COUNCILLORS TO GET MORE FREEDOM TO SPEAK BUT TOUGHER PENALTIES

Headlines, PublicNet: 19 November, 2010

The forthcoming Localism Bill will clarify the law to give councillors the assurance they need to feel confident about campaigning on local issues, but it will also include tougher penalties to prevent corruption.

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TOUGHER ANTI BULLLYING PROOPOSALS ON THE WAY

Headlines, PublicNet: 19 November, 2010

The schools white paper later this month will put heads and teachers back in control, giving them a range of tough new powers to deal with bullies and the most disruptive pupils. Heads will be able to take a zero-tolerance approach and will have the final say, both in and outside of school.

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USE CO-CREATION TO DRVIE PUBLIC SECTOR INNOVATION

Features, PublicNet: 19 November, 2010

By Christian Bason.

Creating new solutions with people, not for them, can help drive radical innovation in the public sector. By focusing on citizens’ own experiences and resources, co-creation can help identify truly valuable services. Public managers should embrace co-creation to deliver better services and outcomes at less cost.

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NEW APPROACH SHOWS THE WAY TO GET CHILDREN READING SAYS OFSTED

Headlines, PublicNet: 17 November, 2010

One in five children leaving primary school do not reach the standard expected for reading. This new report from Ofsted shows that by using phonics, virtually all children in primary schools can learn to read regardless of their social and economic background, ethnicity, language spoken at home, special needs and disability.

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DON’T REWARD COUNCILS FOR BUILDING SUB-STANDARD HOUSES SAYS INSTITUTE

Headlines, PublicNet: 17 November, 2010

The Royal Institute of British Architects supports the Government’s proposals on the New Homes Bonus, but warned that councils should not receive the Bonus for sub-standard homes. It calls for the improvement in the quality as well as quantity of homes being delivered.

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TAKCLING INEQUALITIES IN LIFE EXPECTANCY

Book News, PublicNet: 17 November, 2010

The Public Accounts Committee in its report expresses concern at the slow progress made by the Department of Health towards reducing the gap in life expectancy between 70 ‘spearhead’ local authorities with high deprivation and the population as a whole by 10 per cent by 2010.

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ONE MILLION SOCIAL HOMES COULD BE BUILT IN FIVE YEARS SAYS THINK TANK

Headlines, PublicNet: 15 November, 2010

A radical social housing strategy from the new economics foundation, an independent think tank, sets out measures that could deliver one million affordable homes in five years despite the Spending Review cuts. The strategy is based on reducing the cost of land and capital.

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