Guidance Notes and Best Practice Guides

Socitm: The Society of IT Management (Socitm) has worked closely with the Local Government Association/ Welsh Local Government Association and central government on new Local Government Data Handling Guidelines that shows councils the steps they need to be taking to keep safe and secure data collected from residents, businesses and other parties.
 
The guidelines set out fundamental steps that every council should take to lessen risks of personal information being lost or data protection systems failing, and include Socitm’s top 10 tips for data handling – See ‘In the News’ for more information.
 
CLG: An easy to use booklet to help small accommodation providers comply with fire safety rules has been launched by Fire Minister Sadiq Khan. 'Do you have paying guests?' will give the hospitality industry practical advice; including a five-step action plan for reducing fire risks in small establishments.
 
Fire safety regulations introduced in 2006 required those responsible for small hospitality businesses to carry out a fire risk assessment for the first time. The booklet addresses the specific difficulties that B&Bs, guest houses and self catering properties have faced understanding the new rules and encourages compliance.
Press release ~ 'Do you have paying guests?' ~ Fire safety law and guidance documents for business ~ B&B Association ~ Farmstay ~ Chief Fire Officers Association
 
DH: Marking Social Enterprise Day, Care Service Ministers Phil Hope has announced that six projects will share £450,000 to establish new social enterprises which will help the elderly, the disabled & the homeless, and nurses will get more help to set up services that will help their patients. The 6 projects form part of the Government's 'Innovation for Life' Challenge Fund- a fund set up to promote commissioning of innovative health & social care services from social enterprises.
 
A how-to guide, called 'Social Enterprise - Making a Difference' which will help community health & social care staff set up social enterprises to deliver new and improved services, has also been launched. A series of regional staff conferences and workshops on social enterprise and the 'Right to Request' are planned for early 2009.
Press release ~ Social Enterprise - Making a Difference - A guide to the 'right to request' ~ Social Enterprise Day ~ 'Innovation for Life' Challenge Fund ~ Social Enterprise Coalition ~ DH – Social Enterprise
 
ScotGov: New advice for planning authorities on wind farms has been published by the Scottish Government. The Planning Advice Note (PAN) will help councils and national park authorities prepare their own guidance for considering wind farm applications to aid the development of clean, green energy across Scotland.
 
Scottish Planning Policy 6 - Renewable Energy - requires local authorities to prepare maps & policies (known as 'spatial frameworks') to guide wind farm developments in their areas. A key principle of SPP6 is that wind farms should be accommodated where they can operate efficiently and environmental & cumulative impacts can be satisfactorily addressed. The new advice will help councils apply this national policy.
Press release ~ Planning Advice Note PAN 45: Annex 2: Spatial Frameworks & Supplementary Planning Guidance for Wind Farms ~ Planning Advice Note (PAN) ~ Scottish Planning Policy 6 - Renewable Energy ~ ScotGov - Planning ~ Energy Policy: An Overview ~ Scotland's Energy Future ~ ScotGov – renewable energy ~ Scottish Renewables
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