Open Public Services 2012
'- The Government has published an update on the implementation of its White Paper “Open Public Services” which was published last July. - It provides for a comprehensive update across the Coalition Government’s public service reforms as well as advocating new policy developments most notably in promoting greater choice, redress for service users and decentralisation…
Local elections 2012: expected declaration times and live reporting
On Thursday 3 May, 181 councils will be holding local elections, as well as 10 mayoral referendums and the election in London. LGiU will be producing comprehensive coverage and local government insight during the day, and into 4 May as well. Further to our recent local elections Operational Information bulletin – which included Andy Sawford’s ’50 councils to watch’…
Schools causing concern
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has published two related research reports on the role of local authorities in an increasingly autonomous school system. This report focuses on local authorities’ role in schools causing concern; the other (see ‘related briefings’) considers their evolving role as the ‘Middle Tier’ supporting school improvement.
The Future Role of Local Authorities in School Improvement
The Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS) has published two related research reports on the role of local authorities in an increasingly autonomous school system. This report considers their evolving role as the ‘Middle Tier’ supporting school improvement; the other (see ‘related briefings’) is focused on schools causing concern, with an emphasis on local…
Hate crime action plan
In March the Home Office published a cross-departmental plan to tackle hate crime setting out the strategic direction the Government wishes to take to address this issue. This briefing will explore what the Government’s ambitions are when it comes to tackling hate crime, looking in particular at: * The different types of hate crime highlighted…
Statutory guidance on the role of the DCS and LMCS
The DfE has issued revised statutory guidance on the roles and responsibilities of the Director of Children’s Services (DCS) and the Lead Member for Children’s Services (LMCS). This follows consultation at the end of last year, and the guidance varies from the consultation draft only on points of emphasis.
MPs launch Inquiry into Adult Social Care
A group of MPs today launch an inquiry examining the future of care provision. The All Party Local Government group will be hearing evidence from experts from the social care sector and from local authorities in Parliament over the next 3 weeks. Supported by the LGiU and Partnership the Inquiry will hear evidence from a…
Reform of Alternative Provision – consultation
The DfE has published for consultation (until 15 May) its proposals for the reform of Alternative Provision (AP), and associated guidance. This follows the recent report of Charlie Taylor’s review of AP, all the recommendations of which were accepted by the Secretary of State. The reforms are intended to bring significant changes to AP; they…
Consultation on changes to National Park governance
The government is issuing its second consultation on the issue of the governance of national parks in England, focusing on membership conditions of National Park Authorities The consultation opened on the 8 March and closes on 31 May 2012. The aim of the consultation is to increase local accountability. It puts forward five changes to…
Need to Know Series: Planning for the longer term – strategies for sustaining councils beyond frontloaded cuts
This workshop uses tools and techniques developed as part of the National Process Improvement Project (NPIP) to offer practical guidance on how to make savings while maintaining or improving corporate and frontline services. All of the examples used are based on real savings made by real councils using standard practices. Anyone involved in transforming services…
