More detail is emerging on the delicate path the Government has walked to try to please all over its proposed ‘beacon council’ programme.Its proposals, which are posted on the web at www.detr.gov.uk and are now being consulted on, retain kudos for the small number of authorities which will achieve beacon status. But they also put money into best practice so that all councils are involved in learning about how such an award is achieved.
Health Minister John Hutton criticised councillors for failure to fulfil their role as corporate parents for children in care. He made it clear that society has let these children down in the past and that the failures must not be repeated. Councillors have a duty to give high priority to ensuring that children are looked after and receive the best that society can offer. He called for the development of new and imaginative responses to meeting the needs of vulnerable children.Local authorities are required to submit a Quality Protects Management Action Plan to the Department of Health under the Quality Protects Programme launched by Health Minister Frank Dobson last Autumn. The programme sets out objectives for children’s services which for the first time require clear outcomes for children, and in some instances gave precise targets which local authorities are expected to achieve.
Employment Service Direct is a new telephone service that helps to take the hassle out of finding a job. For the price of a local call jobseekers can ring 0845 6060234 and have access to over 300,000 vacancies across the UK. Callers can ask for local or national vacancies. This a much quicker and more convenient way of finding a job because it cuts out the visit to the job centre and the wait in the queue. Since the launch on 4 January 1999 it has had a steady flow of calls and many satisfied customers.The introduction of the service is part of Tony Blair’s pledge that 25% of government services will be electronic by 2002.
The new Health Bill being debated in the House of Lords provides for partnerships with local government and community groups to provide better healthcare. The Bill sets out new powers to break down barriers, not just between health and social services, but between the NHS and wider local government, through greater flexibility over the transfer of funds. It also covers operational arrangements such as pooled budgets.
A Driver Vehicle and Operator Strategy Board has been launched to give strategic direction to the five agencies in the group. The Board will create a strategic framework and set the direction for the agencies. It will foster better cross agency co-operation and promote joined up initiatives.
Read more on DRIVER VEHICLE AND OPERATOR AGENCIES GET POWER STEERING…
In a boost for modernising local government, councils will be invited to apply for ‘beacon status’ in April 1999. It is expected that about 40 applicants will be successful and the winners declared in October 1999. Ministers will select the winning councils on the basis of advice from an independent advisory panel. Shortlisted councils will be visited to assess their performance and their ability to spread good practice to other councils. Winners will include all the different types of councils and all geographical areas will be represented. The award process will be repeated each year. The scheme is in effect, a Charter Mark for local government.
South Somerset District Council has appointed a partnership co-ordinator to support the district/county committee set up last year. The Committee is made up of 8 locally elected members from the District and County councils. Local people, Police and MPs take part in the discussions which cover issues such as the Crime and Disorder Act, Best Value and Planning Gain.
The move to joined up government has taken a step forward with the agreement by two watchdogs on how to work together. Local authorities, who pay out some benefits, are monitored by the Audit Commission who appoint auditors to promote improvements in their services. The Benefits agency has its own Benefits Fraud Inspectorate charged with countering fraud and improving standards.
In a move to promote joint working between public services the Service First Unit in the Cabinet Office has appealed for help from the public. The appeal is going out to those involved in what are described as ‘life episodes’. These include: leaving school, becoming unemployed, changing address, having a baby, retiring, needing long-term care at home and bereavement.
3Es Enterprises has won a bid to manage King’s Manor School, Guildford. This is the first time a private company has been given the task of running a state school. The school assets will be retained by Surrey Local Education Authority who will work in partnership with the company, which runs a successful City Technology College in the West Midlands.
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