Leaders of charities have met the Chancellor to discuss how the Third Sector can deliver public services at a better price for taxpayers. Delegates from the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, which represents more than 2,000 heads of charities, said savings could be made in the long term within public services by understanding the needs of the people who used them.

Read more on CHARITIES WANT GREATER ROLE IN PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY…

Operations and outpatient appointments for children are being cancelled across the country because of the chaotic introduction of new Government safeguarding regulations. In a report today the Royal College of Surgeons says that in spite of repeated warnings surgeons cannot move between health trusts quickly enough to deal with rare cases and to cover absences.

Read more on SURGEONS SAY CHAOS OVER CHILD SAFEGUARDING SYSTEM IS ‘UNBELIEVABLE’…

There is a warning that Council Tax increases of 16 per cent could be needed next year if central government grants are frozen. The Director of the New Local Government Network, Chris Leslie says the less than two per cent increases for the coming year have been made possible by the ‘generous increase’ in grant which could be the last for five years.

Read more on THINK TANK WARNS OF FUTURE COUNCIL TAX RISES IF GRANT IS CUT…

Councils with responsibilities for adult social care are to get an extra twenty-thousand pounds each to update their Extra Care housing strategies. The Care Services Minister, Phil Hope, said he wanted older people who needed care and support to benefit from new and refreshed local housing strategies promoting dignity, respect and choice.

Read more on COUNCILS TOLD TO ACT NOW TO UPDATE EXTRA CARE STRATEGIES…

Councils, the police and the health service as well as business and voluntary organisations need to learn from one another to improve their services and increase value for money. An independent review of Comprehensive Area Assessment, published today, calls for closer working but says across public services the picture is broadly one of improvement.

Read more on CAA REVIEW SAYS COLLABORATION IS THE ROUTE TO BETTER SERVICES AND VALUE…

The most radical shake-up of adult social care law for more than 60 years is being proposed today by the Law Commission, which says overhauling the present outdated legislation governing the care provided to elderly and disabled people will save unnecessary red tape, delays, litigation, and public money.

Read more on RADICAL REFORM PROPOSED FOR ADULT SOCIAL CARE LAW…

A new report into vocational teaching challenges the assumption that only degree holders make good teachers. The Skills Commission is today publishing the results of a wide-ranging inquiry and is arguing that experience and expertise have to be valued to attract top quality teaching talent for the increasing numbers of vocational learners.

Read more on TEACHERS OF VOCATIONAL COURSES ‘RELEGATED TO SECOND DIVISION’…

A committee of the Scottish Parliament is looking into the future management of schools and the possibility of changing the way they are controlled by local authorities. The Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee is asking for people’s views on the issue.

Read more on SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT WANTS VIEWS ON COUNCIL CONTROL OF SCHOOLS…

The Commission for Rural Communities has called on councils to adopt participatory budgeting so that communities can be involved in spending decisions. The call comes after a successful trial in rural areas by the Participatory Budgeting Unit.

Read more on WATCHDOG WANTS COUNCILS TO GIVE RURAL COMMUNITIES A SAY IN SPENDING DECISIONS…

Councils are starting to use social networks like Facebook and Twitter to put out information to residents and businesses when local emergencies arise. This move of local government into social media is reported by The Society of IT Management in ‘Twitter Gritters’.

Read more on COUNCILS MAKING GREATER USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR EMERGENCY INFORMATION…