General Reports and Other Publications
LBRO: Local councils now have a ‘robust’ tool for improving their regulatory services, an independent report has concluded. The report from Shared Intelligence evaluated the Regulatory Services Peer Challenge Project led by Beacon councils for environmental health (Coventry & Westminster City Councils) alongside senior partners Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) and the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO).
The report found the Excellence Framework & processes of self-assessment and peer challenge were flexible and benefited all types & sizes of councils. Evidence from the evaluation showed that services were becoming more efficient & effective, with a range of spin-off benefits such as improving staff motivation and raising the profile of the service.
Press release ~ Shared Intelligence ~ Regulatory Services Peer Challenge Project ~ Coventry: Peer challenge process ~ LBRO: Final Evaluation report
FSA: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has published the findings of its comprehensive review into the operation of with-profits funds. The review focused on ‘whether firms are treating their with-profits policyholders fairly’, looking specifically at how senior management in firms have implemented FSA rules.
Some firms are performing satisfactorily; however, a significant number of firms are not adequately demonstrating the practices the FSA expects from a well-run with-profits business.
Some firms are performing satisfactorily; however, a significant number of firms are not adequately demonstrating the practices the FSA expects from a well-run with-profits business.
The review showed that some aspects of the rules around with-profits could be further strengthened to provide greater protection for policyholders. This will be the subject of further policy work and the FSA will set out any proposed changes in a consultation paper by the end of 2010.
WAG: A new, improved system of making planning applications will make it easier for Wales to come out of the recession ‘fit for business’ Environment Minister, Jane Davidson has claimed.
Unveiling a report into the planning application process in Wales, Ms Davidson said that ‘she was pleased that the research had identified good practice and reported that there is no need for any fundamental changes’.
Unveiling a report into the planning application process in Wales, Ms Davidson said that ‘she was pleased that the research had identified good practice and reported that there is no need for any fundamental changes’.
But consultants GVA Grimley Ltd, who carried out the work, did find that the planning system was ‘under stress’. It made 16 recommendations to improve the planning application process, which have been accepted by Welsh Ministers.
DECC: Energy & Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, has responded to the publication of the Green Investment Bank Commission’s report - Unlocking investment to deliver Britain's low carbon future.
DWP: Last week, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) published an international review of private pension reform. The review drew together evidence from 8 countries that have implemented private pension reform, to inform the development of the UK workplace pension reforms.
NAO: The Department of Health has made a serious attempt to tackle health inequalities across England. However, according to a National Audit Office report, having set a target in 2000 to reduce health inequalities, it took time to embed the issue in the policy & planning framework of the NHS and to develop an evidence base of the most cost-effective interventions.
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