Welcome
Bryony Houlden, Chief Executive, South West Councils
I am pleased to announced SW Councils is playing a key role in the delivery of a new national online 'public sector pay benchmarking' service. Epaycheck offers subscribing organisations access to 'real time' pay benchmarking data for hundreds of common roles that exist across the sector. The service is being delivered via a network of regional employer organisations and SW Councils will be supporting authorities and public sector partners across the region. I hope authorities in the South West will take up this opportunity – and if you sign up by July 31st it’s free until 2014!
We’ve been busy putting together a really interesting programme for our popular Annual PA, Executive Assistant & Secretaries Conference on 17 October. The programme so far includes a former PA of the Year, a ‘speed dating’ session with Chief Executives from across the private and public sector and a session by Colour Works. Delegates are already signing up so if you are interested in coming along, book your place now.
Finally, you will be aware the local elections have just taken place in some of our authorities, and a summary of the results are available here. One of our local authorities has also seen their new Chief Executive take up his post, and I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Tony Williams as Chief Executive of Bournemouth Borough Council. We’ll keep you updated as to any more changes in the coming months.
As always, please do continue to tell us what you think of this newsletter or submit stories for publication.
Yours
Bryony
Local Economy
Bristol's Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone opens
Bristol's new Temple Quarter Entrprise Zone has officially been launched....
£420 million to support local infrastructure
£420 million will be available through two routes to help communities deliver vital local infrastructure projects, Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Justine Greening have confirmed.
New minimum 12 month duration for all apprenticeships
Apprenticeships will last for a minimum of 12 months guaranteeing improvements in training and workplace learning, Skills Minister John Hayes has announced....
Cornwall’s success in tacking barriers to economic growth is highlighted on national stage
A group of local authority leaders and representatives of private sector companies from across the UK visited Cornwall to see the work which has been taking place to tackle the barriers to economic growth....
Boost for unemployed young people as Youth Contract opens for business
Britain’s unemployed young people are being given a major boost as the Youth Contract opens for business...
HR Services
epaycheck launched
South West Councils is delighted to announce the introduction of epaycheck, a national online public sector pay benchmarking service being launched this month...
Health and Wellbeing
Supporting Troubled Families in the South West
South West Councils is holding a major Conference exploring different approaches to dealing with Families with complex and multiple needs...
Intensive support can help families to turn their lives around
A groundbreaking project aimed at reducing the number of children coming into care and tackling troubled families will be starting soon in Gloucestershire....
CfPS launches third phase of health inequalities programme
The Centre for Public Scrutiny has launched phase three of its health inequalities programme, which seeks to build upon and continue the work within the successful programme so far....
Troubled Families financial framework published
The government has launched a unique payment by results scheme that will deliver £4,000 per family to local authorities which get children back into school, reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour and put adults on a path back to work....
Have your say on the public health workforce
A consultation has been launched to help identify and unlock the potential of the people who are responsible for improving the population’s health and wellbeing. ...
Event: Local Healthwatch Regional Masterclass
The LGA is delivering a series of free Local Healthwatch masterclasses for lead officers....
Smarter Procurement
South West Consultancy Framework
The OJEU notice for the South West Consultancy Framework (SWCF) has been published....
Buying into Communities
The LGA have published a report demonstrating how councils are supporting their communities through procurement....
Climate Change
Consultation on a simplified CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme
The Department for Energy & Climate Change have launched a consultation on the Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme....
New energy saving advice line launched
A new telephone line has opened to give the public advice on how to save energy in their homes and businesses....
Top Stories
Local Election results 2012
The results for local elections held on 3 May 2012 have been declared....
The Changing State of the South West 2012
The South West Observatory has launched the latest version of the State of the South West....
Weymouth’s intelligent transport system wins excellence award
Weymouth’s new intelligent transport system has won the top award for excellence from the Intelligent Transport Society for the United Kingdom....
Event: How can local authorities tackle low cost alcohol?
This free conference will explore the new powers and opportunities open to Local Authorities and partners following the new Alcohol Strategy....
New select Committee enquiry announced
The Communities and Local Government Select Committee have announced an inquiry entitled ’Councillors and the community’....
Echo Facilitator Training
South West Forum is offering this two-day training for the public sector to help you improve how your agency engages with the community and the voluntary sector....
Event - The Role of the Civic Head
Bristol City Council in association with NACO are holding an event for those fulfilling and supporting the role of Civic Head....
South East Dorset bus travel receives £3.435 million boost
Bus passengers in South East Dorset are set to reap the rewards after the Department for Transport awarded £3.435 million pounds of Government funding towards improving local bus travel in South East Dorset....
Event: Social Impact Bonds and Social Investment for Local Authorities
Social Finance, with the support of the Big Lottery Fund, is hosting a conference in Bristol on to explore how social investment can support Local Authorities....
Stronger Communities
Community Events - A Councillor Handbook
The LGA have published a handbook to help Councillors consider effective responses to community events....
Riots Communities and Victims Panel publish final report
The Riots Communities and Victims Panel have published their final report on the riots which took place in August 2011....
Planning
Planning reforms set to deliver local growth with community support
A new National Planning Policy Framework has been published....
Government issues new planning guidance on traveller sites
Local Government Minister Bob Neill has published a streamlined planning policy which aims to help ensure fair treatment of travellers in the planning system while respecting the interests of the settled community....