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Consultations
QCA: The Secretary of State has asked Sir Jim Rose to lead an independent review of the primary curriculum, which will be used to advise ministers on how the primary curriculum needs to change in order to:
* ease the transition from early years into primary schools
* sharpen the focus on mathematics and English
* give teachers more flexibility to design and deliver a localised curriculum
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is currently running a series of online forums & surveys to help collect evidence, which will help shape the new primary curriculum. In addition Sir Jim Rose has invited comments on his interim report (by 28 February 2009).
A final report will be published in spring 2009, followed by a statutory consultation on the draft programmes of learning. Implementation of a revised primary curriculum will begin from September 2011.
Press release ~ Independent Review of the Primary Curriculum website ~ Sir Jim Rose's interim report ~ Take part in QCA Forums, etc. ~ Become an Associate/Consultant for the Curriculum division
OGC BS: Public sector organisations will have an opportunity to influence how the Internet and web facilitates the procurement process through a new phase of web research. A new 10-minute online survey (closes on 18 December 2008) will be used to gather insight on the role that web technology plays in public sector procurement.
The survey, carried out by OGCbuying.solutions, will evaluate the online assistance used throughout the procurement process. Areas for discussion include procurement roles & responsibilities; procurement behaviour; online behaviour; and classification of sector in which respondents operate. There is also the opportunity to join a discussion panel on the wider issues of the procurement process.
ACE: Arts Council England has launched its biggest ever consultation on dance and is inviting everyone involved in the art form to have their say. The major assessment will be the largest undertaking of its kind, and will create a picture, or ‘map’, of dance in England (due to be completed by March 2009), which will influence the Arts Council’s future funding of dance and help create a stronger & more sustainable art form.
There are three surveys (available online until 23 January 2009); one for venues, one for local authorities and one for anyone working in dance.
Press release ~
ScotGov: Proposals to help meet the demand for affordable homes in Scotland, while safeguarding taxpayers’ money, have been announced. The consultation (closes on 17 March 2009) on the future of housing investment in Scotland outlines plans for a network of lead developers, which will hopefully allow housing associations to increase efficiency and maximise the supply of new homes.
Lead developers will also be able to aid the construction industry by adopting long term plans for investment. Meanwhile the proposals recognise the important housing & planning role of local authorities, and how to ensure that investment reflects the needs of communities.
Press release ~ Investing in Affordable Housing: A Consultation ~ Firm Foundations: The Future of Housing in Scotland ~ ScotGov - Housing ~ Homes for Scotland ~ CIH Scotland
HM Treasury: A joint Treasury-FSA consultation (closes on 4 March 2009) on proposals for the legislative framework for the regulation of alternative finance investment bonds, which include sukuk, has been launched by Ian Pearson MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury.
Sukuk is an asset-backed, Shariah-compliant trust certificate. The closest instrument comparable in the conventional financial system would be a bond issued in relation to a securitisation.
As well as the consultation, the Government has also published a new paper, 'The development of Islamic finance in the UK', the purpose of which is to raise awareness of the growing role of Islamic finance in the UK by providing a stock take of achievements to date, as well examining the remaining barriers to growth.
Press release ~ Consultation on the legislative framework for the regulation of alternative finance investment bonds (sukuk) ~ 'The development of Islamic finance in the UK'
DfT: Plans to help athletes, officials and media move efficiently during the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, whilst minimising impact on the normal running of London, have taken a step forward with the launch of a consultation (closes 19 March 2008) on which roads could be included in the Olympic Route Network (ORN) – See ‘In the News’ section for more information.
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