Consultations
HO: The Home Office is seeking views on whether the way crime outcomes are recorded should be broadened to better reflect the work police officers do. If implemented, the new framework would recognise 'community resolutions' – where officers use local restorative approaches, such as painting over graffiti, to resolve low level crime.
The HO are also consulting on whether the new framework should show the reasons why certain crimes are not prosecuted. The consultation closes on 7 December 2012.
MoD: The MoD has launched a formal consultation on the 5-year review of 21 sets of access arrangements, set up in 2007, relating to Open Access on military land across the country. Walkers, cyclists, horse riders and other people who use military land have the opportunity to contribute to this consultation, which closes on 19 November 2012.
OFT: The OFT is consulting on how it proposes to use a new power, which will allow it to suspend consumer credit licences with immediate effect or from a date it specifies, in certain circumstances. The power will strengthen significantly the OFT's ability to protect consumers, allowing it quickly to put a stop to the licensable activities of businesses that otherwise would be able to operate until the end of an often lengthy appeals process.
The OFT will be able to use the power only where there is an urgent need to protect consumers from harm:
* The OFT consultation closes on 15 January 2013
* Final guidance will be published in February 2013
* The new power is expected to come into effect in Spring 2013
WAG: Regeneration is about transforming underperforming places and ensuring economic growth which is inclusive, sustainable & focused. The consultation document ‘Vibrant and Viable Places’ sets out proposals for new national outcomes & regional governance for partnership delivery of regeneration. The consultation closes on 14 January 2013.
An announcement about WAG’s new policy direction, including specific regeneration investment criteria, will be made early next year. This consultation will be supported by events across Wales including a Regeneration Summit on 15 November 2012.
Ofgem: Energy regulator Ofgem is consulting on major reforms to make the energy market fairer for small business customers. Although a review found that in general business consumers found it easier to engage in the energy market than households, Ofgem concluded that more protection was needed for smaller businesses.
Ofgem is proposing to widen the number of small businesses that benefit from its existing safeguards to ensure contract terms are clear. The rules currently apply to Britain’s smallest businesses - which typically employ 10 people or less. Extending the rules will mean an extra 150,000 businesses will be covered, protecting customers that typically spend up to £10,000 a year on each fuel. Consultation closes 21 December 20012.
Ofgem is proposing to widen the number of small businesses that benefit from its existing safeguards to ensure contract terms are clear. The rules currently apply to Britain’s smallest businesses - which typically employ 10 people or less. Extending the rules will mean an extra 150,000 businesses will be covered, protecting customers that typically spend up to £10,000 a year on each fuel. Consultation closes 21 December 20012.
CLG: The Government is asking for views on plans to make it a legal requirement for councils to open up every aspect of its business through the regular publication of a transparency inventory that will reveal data on pay, perks, spending, charities and now parking.
Overall council parking income totalled £1.27bn in 2010-11. Proposed amendments to The Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency will also introduce new transparency standards on parking charges.
Overall council parking income totalled £1.27bn in 2010-11. Proposed amendments to The Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency will also introduce new transparency standards on parking charges.
A recent survey found that almost 70% of people intentionally avoided shopping areas with high parking prices. Two thirds said they would return to the high street if parking was more affordable. 20% felt there were not enough spaces available. It also found that 80% of people pay up to £150pm for parking. The consultation closes on 20 December 2012.
HEFCE: The Higher Education Funding Council England has launched a consultation on improving the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC), an activity-based costing approach used by UK higher education institutions (HEIs). The closing date for responses is 11 January 2013.
As part of the consultation process, HEFCE will hold 2 half-day consultation events:
London - 8 November
Birmingham - 16 November
ScotGov: Finance Secretary John Swinney has outlined the Scottish Government plans for a replacement tax relating to the disposal of waste to landfill including proposals for communities in Scotland to benefit more from Landfill tax than elsewhere in the UK.
The passage of the Scotland Act 2012 means that from April 2015 the Scottish Parliament will be empowered to introduce & manage taxes on the disposal of waste to landfill along with the purchase or leasing of land & buildings. Mr Swinney outlined ScotGov plans to make full use of these powers to introduce a replacement landfill tax which ‘would be embedded in Scots law, reflect Scottish values and Scottish circumstances’. The closing date for responses is 15 January 2013.
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