WIREDGOV

Consultations

Ofsted:  Ofsted has launched a consultation (closes on 17 April 2012) for its inspection of all ‘non-association’ independent schools in England .  Changes proposed for September 2012 are intended to raise expectations for further improvement in the performance of these schools, for the benefit of children, parents and carers.

Press release & links

FSA:  The Food Standards Agency's expert Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), is consulting on an application from a company to market oil that is produced from Schizochytrium microalgae, as a novel food ingredient.

Ocean Nutrition intends to use its DHA-rich oil in the same food categories to those authorised for Martek Biosciences’ oil. These food categories include food supplements, bakery products and breakfast cereals.  Any comments on this application should be sent to the ACNFP Secretariat by Monday 13 February 2012.

Press release & links

CQC:  The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is consulting on amendments to the annual fees it proposes to charge a small number of the providers it regulates.  These fees cover CQC’s work in registering providers and monitoring their compliance with government standards of safety and quality.  Members of the public, organisations affected and other stakeholders are invited to take part in the consultation online, which will close on 20 February 2012.

These further amendments proposed in this consultation will be added to those changes and, if agreed, take effect together from 1 April 2012.  The Commission will also be carrying out a more detailed consultation on its longer-term approach to fees for all providers later this year, with a view to implementing those changes in phases from 2013/14 onwards.

Press release & links ~ Take part in the consultation online

Ofgem:  Ofgem is consulting on proposals which include £2.9bn of investment with up to a further £4.7bn available over the course of the price control period (April 1 2013 – 2021). The investment is part of Ofgem’s decision for SP Transmission Ltd (SPTL) and Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd (SHETL) to be the first companies fast-tracked under the new RIIO price control framework.

Press release & links ~ Note from WGPlus Editor:  One wonders what the funding implications are if becomes independent? 

DfT:  Plans for a lorry road user charging scheme to create a fairer deal for UK hauliers have been announced by Roads Minister Mike Penning.  Most EU states charge lorries for using their roads which means that British vehicles have to pay to drive in Europe, while foreign lorries can currently drive for free in the UK.

The proposed scheme (consultation closes on 18 April 2012) will levy a time-based charge of around up to £10 a day for lorries of 12 tonnes or over using any road in the UK .  The precise level of charges will depend on exchange rate & inflation at the time of implementation – likely to be 2015.  UK-registered vehicles will most likely be compensated with a reduction in Vehicle Excise Duty.

Press release & links

WAG:  In February 2011, the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, Gwenda Thomas, announced the intention to develop a new national programme for reviewing & learning from cases involving serious abuse or neglect of children from which child protection arrangements can be improved.  

The consultation on draft practitioner guidance for the new Child Practice Review (CPR) - Protecting Children in Wales , Arrangements for Multi-Agency Child Practice Reviews is open until 2 April 2012.

Press release & links

ScotGov:  First Minister Alex Salmond at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh has outlined detailed proposals for the referendum in autumn 2014 on whether Scotland should be an independent country - See ‘In the News’ section for more information.