Communities and Local Government Departmental Question Time And Related Local Government Issue Developments
A round up of parliamentary activity, recent ministerial speeches and local government policy announcements.
Anti-social behaviour: government consultation
Tackling anti-social behaviour is still a major public priority. The government has published a consultation on reforming the tools available for this. This briefing summarises the proposals and comments on them and the wider context.
Bucks goes back to the drawing board
Local Government is digging deep into its capacity for innovation as we all seek to adapt to life with less money but more responsibilities. Each Council will have to find its own answer but in Buckinghamshire we’ve started to put the pieces together for a solution of compromise, reality and affordability.
Honouring the armed services: the twelve steps councils can take
The Local Government Information Unit and the Royal British Legion, in our new publication Honouring the Armed Service Community have developed twelve painless steps councils can take to provide real help for this community which has given so much for our country. First, local authorities should know how many veterans; reservists and armed forces personnel there are in…
Elected Mayor for Leicester update – Soulsby steps down as MP to be Labour candidate
The Labour Party’s epic internal selection contest to find its candidate for the Leicester Mayoral election in May, concluded dramatically over the weekend. Sir Peter Soulsby, who has been the MP for Leicester South since 2005, but was previously council Leader for 17 years, won a five way contest, beating current council Leader Veejay Patel who…
Equality Act 2010: Banning age discrimination in services, public functions and associations – a consultation on proposed exceptions to the ban
This briefing outlines the proposed exceptions to the Equality Act that are relevant to local authorities, particularly the implications for health and social care where there will be no specific exceptions to the legislation.
Looking after Middle England’s old people
The divide between health and social care in the UK is a cruel one. On the one hand, people who need care from a hospital receive it gratis regardless of their wealth. On the other hand, people who need care from a residential home, but have assets of more than £23,250, must dip into their…
US and UK research explores how the public perceives community information services
I spent some time last night sifting through the US-based ‘How the Public Perceives Community Information Systems‘ report – for those short of time here’s a link to a good summary from Pew Research Center. The conclusion of the piece is that public trust in government is strongly tied with their engagement and involvement in…
The Big Society Bank has a crucial role in fuelling social action
*UPDATE* Here’s the Written Ministerial Statement on the Big Society Bank – 21st March 2011 WRITTEN MINISTERIAL STATEMENT CABINET OFFICE 21 March 2010 Minister for Civil Society: Big Society Bank ________________________________________________________________________ Nick Hurd:On 14 February, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and I published a strategy to grow thesocial investment market, giving charities and social…
Growing the Social Investment Market: A Vision and Strategy
Growing the Social Investment Market looks to develop the concept of a Big Society through expansion of the social investment market. Key to this is the establishment of a Big Society Bank. This brief outlines the strategy and comments on its main points.
