Consultations

WAG: A new plan to ensure stroke rates in Wales are among the lowest in Europe by 2016 has been published for public consultation (closes on 2 August 2012) by the Welsh Government.  Together Against Stroke aims to build on what has already been achieved in recent years, helping to deliver wider ambitions to improve services for those at risk of, or who have, a stroke over the next few years.
Press release ~ Together Against Stroke
 
BHF: The Government has announced details of a consultation on food labels (closes on 6 August 2012) - the perfect springboard for ministers and the food industry to give the green light to labels that help shoppers make healthier choices.  As things stand, there is a confusing multitude of food labels on products across UK shelves.
 
The British Heart Foundation are urging ministers and the food industry to back traffic light-coloured labels combined with Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs) and the words ‘high’, ‘medium’ and ‘low’.
Press release & links ~ DH Consultation
 
FSA: Keeping track of what we eat and choosing healthier foods could be made easier thanks to a consultation (closes on 6 August 2012) launched on front-of-pack (FoP) nutrition labelling by the Food Standards Agency in both Northern Ireland & Scotland.
Press release & links
 
Defra: New proposals to modernise the process of recording rights of way, developed in consultation with groups such as the Ramblers and Country Land & Business Association, have been unveiled by Environment Minister Richard Benyon. The consultation closes on 6 August 2012.
 
Plans are expected to cut the time taken to record a right of way by as much as several years, so that routes set to be lost in 2026 can be preserved.  All unrecorded footpaths & bridleways created before 1949 cannot be recorded after 1 January 2026
Press release & links
 
DfE: New advice to schools will make clear that they will no longer be able to use pupils’ biometric data without parental consent.  The advice (launched last week for consultation - closes on 3 August 2012) comes into effect from September 2013.
 
The advice has been updated to take into account new measures in the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, which has now gained Royal Assent.  Frequently asked questions & optional templates for notification & consent will also be included in the advice.
Press release & links
 
WAG: A White Paper seeking views on proposals to improve local democracy has gone out to consultation (closes on 3 August 2012).  Carl Sargeant, the Minister for Local Government & Communities said that many of the proposals being put forward in the paper are designed to be included within an Assembly Bill – the Local Democracy (Wales) Bill – which the Minister intends to introduce in autumn 2012.
 
A key element of the Bill is in relation to how the Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales operates. The Bill aims to redesign the rules within which the Commission operates and make reforms to the structure & functions of the Commission.  
Press release & links
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