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WARP IT LAUNCH

There is a growing consumer consciousness that consumption based on finite resources is not viable, and for the first time the public are maybe even linking economy to resource use.

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Innovative ballot box wins vote of confidence at electoral conference

A new ballot box designed to meet the demands of modern elections was officially launched at the Association of Electoral Administrators’ (AEA) Annual Conference 2011. UK-based Versapak has developed a user-friendly foldable ballot box, which aims to overcome common problems with handling and storage, while a unique top panel makes the insertion of voting slips easier than ever.

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Stem Injection Systems

A Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) project to tackle invasive non-native plant species (INNS) in the Dumfries and Galloway area, is using state-of-the-art treatment equipment from Stem Injection Systems (Europe).

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Chorley Council Addresses Commercial Property Vacancies

Chorley Council is using an award winning specially developed web application to access up to date and accurate information about commercial premises. This information is then used to monitor town centre vacancies and proactively target potential tenants.

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Keeping your staff's personal information safe online

Keeping your staff’s personal information safe onlineMedia law expert Cleland Thom warns of the dangers of mixing business with pleasure

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Nineteenth Century technology could save Councils millions by reducing their electricity costs

Jobs are being lost that could be saved - one local authority employee said. -We’ve had energy efficiency proposals sat on our desk for two and a half years. If we’d actioned them, we could have kept the key staff members we’re about to loose. Considering all of this this, it is surprising how few energy efficiency measures have actually been deployed. So what barriers are making it hard for the public sector to act?

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BEYOND 2010 TO SHOW DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY'S ROUTE TO EFFICIENCY AND REFORM

With October’s Spending Review announcement set to reveal the scale of the requirement for a radical re-evaluation of the Government’s role in providing public services; a two-day conference and exhibition in Birmingham on October 20th – 21st will provide the best opportunity this year to learn how digital technologies offer a proven route to delivering better public services for less.

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Council workers lucky escape as tractor collapses

An Oldham council parks employee escaped without injury yesterday when a small tractor used for mowing grass suddenly lost its front wheels.

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Drivers conflicted over cameras

An IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) survey, released today, found that most people agree with the government’s policy to reduce safety camera funding, even though a significant majority are supportive of cameras in principle.

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RMG WORKS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUSING ASSOCIATION TO ACHIEVE VALUE FOR MONEY FOR RESIDENTS

Residential Management Group (RMG) has worked successfully with staff and residents of Rosebery Housing Association Limited in Surrey to procure cleaning and grounds maintenance services that deliver real value for money, helping to make savings of 11 per cent for residents.

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COAST & COUNTRY'S RECORD NUMBERS FOR LEARNING

A record number of Coast & Country Housing employees have been working towards qualifications in the last 12 months.

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Government's attitude to public sector pay and pensions is worrying

The Government’s attitude to public sector pay and pensions is a worrying issue. David Cameron seems to be pushing councils awkwardly down a path they are already addressing. A reduction of payment in pensions will have a crippling effect on the economy and further increases in employee contributions will not serve as an effective solution.

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Champion of older people's housing and support retires

A leading campaigner, who has championed older people’s housing and support needs, is retiring after 35 years working in social policy and older people’s housing.

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Election 2010: Where Next for Public Sector Spending Cuts?

So, it seems we face a choice between ‘securing the recovery’ or being taken seriously by the markets with regard to deficit reduction. Between halving the deficit (by £78m) over the next four years or a more ‘roots and branches’ attack on spending – perhaps something more akin to Ireland, where cuts and tax rises in 2009 of around 5% of GDP would be like taking £65bn out of the UK economy in a single year.

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The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre’s (QEIICC) impeccable handling of the Iraq Inquiry has brought its capabilities to the attention of a worldwide audience. The hearing, the first event to be held in the Centre’s recently-opened inquiry suite, has provoked widespread interest in the outstanding facilities offered by The QEIICC, an executive agency of the Department For Communities and Local Government.

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PR Media Law Guide

A new e-book has been published to guide PR and comms staff through the maze of media law. The PR Media Law Guide explains how to keep comms operations safe from threats like defamation, the Data Protection Act and contempt of court. It also explains how to use media law and the regulatory codes in proactive and reactive situations, and to deal with post-publication issues.

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The Department of the Future

‘Doing more for less’ has long been debated in the public sector, but now, the need to cut public spending, has become urgent. The Public Sector is not just facing a painful adjustment to immediate financial issues; it is also challenged by factors that will be impacting us for decades to come – such as our ageing population, our inadequate physical infrastructure, and the need to reskill the nation’s workforce.

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NATIONAL REGEN AGENCY CHAIRMAN VISITS MERSEYSIDE

Robert Napier, Chairman of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), visited Merseyside this week to see the positive impact the Agency’s investment is having in the area and to assess what still needs to be done.

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@Tweeting to the masses

Social media has taken the world by storm. More specifically, Twitter, with its simplicity and powerful outreach, has rapidly grown in popularity and usage. With the general election looming and public sector budgets tighter than ever, Adrian Moss, head of Web 2.0 at Parity, discusses the benefits of social media and how new communication mediums can be used effectively to engage voters, disseminate information and create an affinity with communities further and wider than previously possible.

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Smarter printing cuts carbon

Smarter printing is set to cut the County Council’s carbon footprint and save money. New machines are being brought in which will generate savings of £100,000 a year, reduce carbon emissions by 13 tonnes and reduce the number of devices by more than 80%.

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