By Stephen LeachThe Local Government Act 2000 has transformed the way in which local politics operates within local authorities. Local councillors have had to adjust to the introduction of elected mayors, cabinet government and scrutiny committees, and cope with a range of other new initiatives. This book is a unique attempt to provide a coherent analysis of the impact of these changes on the world of local politics.

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TEACHERS WANT MORE USE OF IT IN CLASSROOMS

Almost half of Britain’s teachers want to make more use of the Internet in lessons according to a national study published by ntl:Telewest Business. It shows that although 78 per cent of teachers use the internet in class at least once a week, and 42 per cent at least once a day, teachers feel increased Internet access would help pupils even further.

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RANGER PAUL SCOOPS PARKFORCE PRIZE

An Urban Park Development Ranger from Rotherham is today named as Britain’s Best Park Worker. Paul Spriggs wins the award for his inspiring work with young people. Meanwhile workers at Leicester City Council have been named the country’s best Parkforce.

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The Department for Health has published a revised pay framework for top managers. For areas with the largest population, Strategic Health Authority Chief Executives will receive 173,740 pounds, Primary Care Trust Chief Executives 142,420 pounds and Ambulance Trust Chief Executives 122,640 pounds.The pay of Executive Directors and other second level very senior managers will receive a percentage of the Chief Executive’s pay, depending on the field in which they work. In finance and human resources they will receive 75%, nursing 65% and corporate affairs 60%.

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ESSAYS WIDEN DEBATE ON FUTURE OF CITY-REGIONS POLICY

A series of essays launched by the think tank the New Local Government Network stresses the need for future city-regions to reflect grassroots realities rather than top down design. The contributions, from key figures in local government are underpinned by the view that that there is a difference between the Whitehall view of where the policy should go next and that found in local government.

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PUBLIC SECTOR SET FOR BIG DISCOUNTS ON IT HARDWARE

The whole of the public sector will be able to get discounts of up to 45 per cent on IT hardware products following a new agreement reached between the Government and suppliers. The deal has been reached after joint working by the Office of Government Commerce and its trading arm OGCbuying.solutions in an initiative called ‘Great Deals’.

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This programme is now available to view on egovtv.tv, the online television channel for public service modernisation. It reviews how Greenwich Council is joining up with health services using an innovative mobile solution to record data at the point of care and transmitting it directly into back office systems. The initiative is supported by the DCLG funded National Mobile Working Project NOMAD.GovTV (www.eGovTV.tv) is a dedicated web-cast television channel for governors of public bodies, council members and senior executives across all public sector organisations and is available free to an unlimited audience at anytime, at any location via the internet.

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TRANSFORMATIONAL AGENDA NEEDS MORE MINISTERIAL SUPPORT

The transformational agenda, launched at the start of 2006 to follow on from the e-government agenda, is unlikely to achieve its potential without greater support from the Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues. Sir Nicholas Montagu, former chairman of the Inland Revenue, speaking to Public Sector Forums, said that the very highest levels of Government were paying lip-service to the ‘T-Government’ agenda without contributing much personally to bring it about. He said: “There is no evidence of a real, deep understanding or interest.”

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COUNCILS HIT PROCUREMENT TARGETS BUT TRANSFORMATION NEEDED TO KEEP IT UP

Councils are set to hit procurement efficiency targets one year ahead of schedule. A report from the DCLG on the ‘National Procurement Strategy For Local Government – Two Years On’ shows that an efficiency saving of 3.1bn pounds due by 2008 is likely to be hit in 2007. The report also predicts that with continued advances in schools, the police and fire, the overall 6.45bn pounds of efficiency gains from the local government sector should be delivered. Local Government procurement decisions in England account for around 40 bn pounds per year.

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By Paul SpickerPeople who work in planning, management and service delivery in the public sector need to know how policy is translated into practice, what is happening, and whether a policy works. Policy analysis for practice deals with the concepts, methods and techniques required to undertake the analysis and review of policy and its implementation. Focusing on developing understanding and skills for a growing area of practice, it combines material from public and social administration with examples and application to social policy and the social services.

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