Consultations
Defra: Neighbouring local authorities, working together, could deliver better integrated and cost-effective waste services, according to a new consultation (closes on Monday 9 June 2008). Any group of two or more authorities will be able to apply to the Government to voluntarily transfer waste collection, disposal, and/or street cleansing functions to a Joint Waste Authority (JWA).
Joint Waste Authorities will be voluntary and would only be created with agreement of all authorities concerned. The Government claims that it introduced the powers in response to requests from local authorities and that it will be up to elected members for any particular area to decide whether they wish to establish a JWA for their area, and they will be required to consult local people about any such proposals.
Responses to the consultation should be submitted by to LAWFG@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
Press release ~ Consultation documents ~Defra - JWA ~ Innovation Forum report and related documents ~ Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 ~ Wired-Gov Special report on domestic waste
CLG: Housing Minister Caroline Flint has claimed that the building industry, local authorities and home owners will all benefit from a shake-up to the building control system which is intended to crack down on illegal construction. The ‘Future of Building Control’ consultation (closes on 10 June 2008)recommends a more efficient risk-based inspection process for local authorities that focuses on the most dangerous failings.
Good builders who comply with them will be relieved of the burden of unnecessary inspections, while cowboy builders will face ‘tougher’ scrutiny. A more systematic approach to the review of building regulations will also give the industry more certainty and allow better forward planning.
Press release ~ Future of Building Control consultation ~ BCA - A Building Control System for the 21st Century ~ Federation of Master Builders (FMB) ~ Ideal Home Show
CLG: Communities Secretary Hazel Blears has set out a new draft strategy for consultation (closes Tuesday 10 June 2008) to ‘give people in every local authority area a greater say on how public money is spent by 2012, including exploring for the first time using 'community kitties' for projects to fight crime and tackle obesity’.
Ideas will be developed in the forthcoming community empowerment White Paper and will explore:
* Giving people a direct influence over how cash pots to tackle crime & anti-social behaviour in their area are spent.
* The potential for using kitties to get more people involved in commissioning local community health services, building on pioneering work by Southampton PCT
* By 2018 giving young people a direct say over 25% of all money spent on things to do & places to go for young people.
Press release ~ Participatory Budgeting: A Draft National Strategy ~ Participatory Budgeting - index
WAG: The Welsh Assembly Government’s Single Equality Scheme will set a benchmark for how the public sector promotes equality and tackles all forms of discrimination, Equalities Minister, Dr Brian Gibbons, said recently.
The proposals for a Single Equality Scheme, which have just gone out to consultation (closes 11 June 2008), is intended to set out the Assembly Government’s commitment to promoting diversity & equality as an integral part of the way it does business.
It highlights how the Assembly Government plans to work with partner organisations, such as Local Authorities and the NHS in tackling inequality and improving circumstances for all the people it represents and serves. The final Scheme, which will be effective for three years, will build on the foundations laid by the Assembly Government’s existing disability, race and gender equality schemes.
Press release ~ WAG - Equality and diversity ~ Consultation Document for a Single Equality Scheme ~ Equal Opportunities Commission - Wales
RFA: The Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) HAS announced the launch of a call for evidence on the indirect impacts of biofuels, with a deadline for submissions of 14 April 2008. Reacting to recent scientific evidence which questions the benefits of biofuels, Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has asked the RFA to carry out a review of their indirect impacts. The RFA hopes that the call for evidence will bring in the most up to date and rigorous information possible to the study.
The RFA is specifically seeking evidence on what causes land use change & food insecurity and the effect of biofuel. It is also looking for evidence on the economic benefits of biofuels, particularly for developing countries and opportunities to restore degraded land?
DCSF: The Government has published for consultation (closes on 9 June 2008)in a White Paper, Raising Expectations: enabling the system to deliver details of the transfer of £7bn to local authorities. The plans will mean the dissolution of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC)by 2010 and instead make local authorities responsible for offering all young people in their area a full menu of choices - both the new Diplomas and Apprenticeships alongside GCSEs and A levels – See ‘Policy statements and initiatives’ section for more details.
.gif)
