Legislation / Legal
ScotGov: Legislation enabling Scottish councils to use online advertising as an alternative to publishing notices in newspapers will not be progressed.
If implemented the proposal, first presented by government in 2006, would have allowed local authorities to use a new public information notices portal, save £ms to reinvest in frontline services & enhance local information services.
If implemented the proposal, first presented by government in 2006, would have allowed local authorities to use a new public information notices portal, save £ms to reinvest in frontline services & enhance local information services.
During an 8-week consultation, Ministers listened to the views of councils, the public, MSPs & the newspaper industry and have now decided not to proceed with the legislation as the proposals would have had insufficient parliamentary support.
Ministers are now calling on those who opposed the proposed legislation to engage positively on the issue and recognise that Parliament must take a more constructive stance to assist. The Scottish Government will continue to develop the on-line advertising portal for the public sector.
Press release ~ Local Authority Public Information Notices (Electronic Publication) (Scotland) Order consultation (closed)
DCSF: Teachers do have clear legal powers to confiscate mephedrone and all legal-high drugs – and should use those powers, Schools Minister Vernon Coaker confirmed last week.
Writing to all schools in England, Mr Coaker underlined that the law gives schools the power to confiscate all inappropriate items, including any substance they believe to be mephedrone or any other drug – whatever their legal status.
Writing to all schools in England, Mr Coaker underlined that the law gives schools the power to confiscate all inappropriate items, including any substance they believe to be mephedrone or any other drug – whatever their legal status.
And he confirmed that, under the law, there is absolutely no obligation to return such confiscated substances. In addition, the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) is currently looking at the dangers of mephedrone, and similar compounds, as a priority. The Home Office will receive the ACMD’s report on 29 March 2010 and has said it will take immediate action.
Press release ~ Talk to Frank website ~ Teachernet: Behaviour & Discipline ~ Teachernet: School Drug Policies ~ Safer Schools Partnerships ~ Factsheet on mephedrone and similar compounds ~ Statement from the Home Office concerning headteachers banning mephedrone
DCSF: Unpaid childcare arrangements between friends will be legally exempt from Ofsted registration & inspection under new legislation the Government announced last week. Children's Minister Dawn Primarolo welcomed the move, which will mean that, from April 2010, friends caring for one another's children without payment are no longer included within the remit of Ofsted.
The amendment to an Order under the Childcare Act 2006 will be supported by revised Ofsted guidance which will highlight where & when childcare arrangements are considered to be formal and within their inspection remit.
