.gif)
General Reports and Other Publications
CRC: Research report & case studies from the Commission for Rural Communities show the diverse ways accessibility planning is able to deliver a range of innovative ways to help improve access to a range of services for rural areas.
As part of the Local Transport Plan process, transport authorities are required to carry out a process of accessibility planning. This aims to improve social inclusion for disadvantaged groups and areas, by enhancing access to work, schools, healthcare, food shops and other key services in a co-ordinated & systematic manner. Local authorities are due to produce their 3rd Local Transport Plans in 2010.
Press release ~ Rural Accessibility report and best practice case studies ~ Local Transport Plan Guidance ~ Local Transport Plan process
FSA: The Food Standards Agency has published the findings of a new survey testing for campylobacter & salmonella in chicken on sale in the UK. The survey showed that campylobacter was present in 65% of the samples of chicken tested. Salmonella was in 6% of samples, 0.5% of these samples contained S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium.
As part of the Agency’s work to reduce levels of campylobacter in UK-produced chicken, an international conference on campylobacter is being organised for 2010.
Press release ~ A UK survey of campylobacter and salmonella contamination of fresh chicken at retail sale ~ FSA: Food bugs
TfL: Electronic countdown systems, at pedestrian traffic signals could give people clearer information about how long they have to cross the road after the green man has gone out, according to a new study for Transport for London (TfL).
Many pedestrians assume the green man displayed at junctions is the only safe time to cross the road. In fact, the green man signals the invitation to start crossing the road. The blackout period that follows the green man at junctions then continues to give people the right of way to complete their crossings before the red light is displayed & vehicles are given their green light to move.
Press release ~ The effect of re-timed invitation to cross periods on road user behaviour at signalised junctions in London (VLF 6.5Mb) ~ Research Summary
Ofgem: Proposals to beef up safeguards to protect vulnerable customers from disconnection have been published by the energy regulator Ofgem. The proposals follow a joint review with Consumer Focus that was prompted by evidence from the Consumer Focus Extra Help Unit of a number of disconnections of vulnerable households last winter.
The review found that while there is much good practice across energy suppliers to protect vulnerable customers from disconnection, there is still room for improvement. Ofgem is proposing to change current supply licence conditions to oblige suppliers to investigate proactively the customer’s circumstances to establish they are not vulnerable before they disconnect them. It is also seeking a commitment from all suppliers to re-connect within 24 hours a customer who has been disconnected, who subsequently turns out to be vulnerable.
The review is a part of a wider review of energy suppliers’ debt management & prevention practices Ofgem is carrying out with Consumer Focus that will be completed by the end of 2009.
Press release ~ Review of protection for vulnerable customers from disconnection ~ Consumer Focus ~ ERA Safety Net ~ Ofgem’s Social Action Strategy
ScotGov: The Scottish Government and local councils have now completed 200 new or refurbished schools in the period April 2007 to March 2009, according to figures from the Scottish Parliamentary Library (SPICe). Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop said a further 36 had been completed since then and the total of 236 compared with 205 during the four years of the previous parliamentary term.
Press release ~ Scottish Parliament briefing on school buildings ~ Announcement of first schools to benefit from £1.25 billion package ~ Building Better Schools ~ ScotGov - Schools
EHRC: The Equality and Human Rights Commission (Commission) have launched a new report into how a range of UK organisations have established equality policies encouraging employees from diverse backgrounds to participate fully in the workplace. The report will be used by the Commission to develop guidance for employers on implementing effective equality policies.
The report looks at 8 employers - including BT, Asda, the British Library and North Wales Police - to see what policies & practices they have adopted to encourage lesbian, gay, bisexual and older employees and those with differing religions or beliefs to take up recruitment, promotion or advancement opportunities in the workplace.
