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The government has recently published its latest in a series of recommendations and changes to local government fraud prevention. The debate and planning around implementation continues, but the direction is clear – a changing role for local government in fraud prevention and detection.
Ultimately this will mean local authorities will have to do more to prevent fraud, more work on acknowledging its impact, more work on prevention and more work on pursuing the fraudsters. All of which will also mean local authorities working much more closely with central government on fraud prevention benefits, but having the right tools at their disposal is also key to tackling the changes.
As part of its ongoing efforts to help local authorities collect more taxes, stop fraud and reduce costs leading Public Sector Solutions provider Callcredit will today (10th May 2012) at The LAIOG Annual Fraud Conference outline the challenges facing local authorities and how through its new suite of products ‘Three Sixty’ will help fight fraud locally in three effective steps, Acknowledge, Prevent and Pursue.
Callcredit’s Director of Public Sector, Andrew Davis said, -Callcredit welcomes the governments new agenda and we believe it will really help local authorities to reduce fraud losses. However we also recognise that many local authorities don’t have the right tools to help them deliver on this aggressive agenda. Local authorities now more than ever need the correct tools at their disposal in order to rise to this challenge. We genuinely believe that our new ‘Three Sixty suite’ of products can deliver the level of insight needed to help improve effectiveness and reduce costs.
The suite of products ‘Three Sixty Tenant View’, Three Sixty Online, Three Sixty Council Tax View and Three Sixty Fraud Hub are a series of products that will, together, comprise a complete suite and offer a complete solution to filling the hole in local government finances.
Andrew added, -Improving the effectiveness of fraud detection and prevention has always been seen as a key objective for local authorities particularly in terms of reducing costs. Stopping fraud clearly demonstrates that those local authorities who implement effective strategies are recognised as good stewards of public resources which in many cases delivers’ real financial savings.
Ramora UK is a leading global provider of Explosive Ordnance Disposal services and related training. In addition to governments, the military and law enforcement agencies, Ramora UK clients include a number of high profile commercial organisations, and the company is very aware that the security concerns of corporations in the modern world cover a number of areas.
Adopting a comprehensive and proactive approach to corporate security is an important issue for Ramora UK and one that it shares with management consultants, Burrill Green.
Unlike most management consulting companies working in the security field, Burrill Green views corporate security not just in terms of protection, but also as a driver of performance, an enabler of trust, and a deliverer of incremental value to the whole enterprise. Allied to this approach is an understanding that sensitivity and empathy is required when challenging a client’s existing structures, systems, and procedures.
Given that this approach to client servicing is one that is fully shared by Ramora UK, the company has identified a number of advantages that can be delivered to clients through its teaming with Burrill Green.
As David Welch MIExpE, MIABTI, FCIM, Managing Director of Ramora UK, said:
-One of the great benefits that commercial organisations can bring to corporate security is an understanding of corporate realities and imperatives. Our technical expertise, delivered through a team of ex-military personnel, is second to none. When that is allied to an understanding of the broader issues that companies face – an understanding that can only be enhanced by our association with Burrill Green – then the opportunity exists to provide clients not just with protection but also with real added value.”
David Burrill, Chairman of Burrill Green, adds,
-Challenges that threaten businesses today in a shrinking world are of an order of magnitude that could not be accurately registered even twenty years ago. Managing in an Uncertain World requires new skills and approaches to steering businesses productively and profitably forwards. The function of security management is to create and maintain a secure condition in which people are safe, the business will flourish, the organisation’s reputation will be enhanced, and opportunities for improvements, will be identified and acted upon. Our association with Ramora UK enhances our ability to recommend world-class solutions to clients seeking to add value to the contribution corporate security can make to their business and enterprise.”
The Albert Kennedy Trust, the charity for young homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people today announces the appointment of leading City of London politician Edward Lord OBE as the new Chair of the charity. Lord replaces previous Chair James Hodge who stepped down from the role in March after a year as Chair and a total of six years on the board.
As Chair of the charity’s Board of Trustees, Lord will lead in progressing and developing the Albert Kennedy Trust’s strategy as well as acting as the external face of the charity. Working in partnership with the Trust’s Chief Executive Tim Sigsworth, Lord will promote the growth of the charity to its next level, alongside the Board of Trustees.
Describing the appointment process, AKT Chief Executive, Tim Sigsworth, said: -Edward was selected from a range of very strong candidates following a competitive recruitment process, undertaken by a panel that included both Trustees and young people. We were extremely impressed with the calibre of candidates and are thrilled to have enlisted such a skilled and experienced Chair as Edward Lord to lead the Albert Kennedy Trust through an exciting and significant period of growth over the next few years.”
Speaking of the appointment, Edward Lord said: -It is a great privilege to have been chosen to lead AKT through its next stage of development. No matter how much we hope that Society has changed for the better in the last twenty years, we cannot escape from the fact that some young people end up without a home because their parents or guardian can’t accept their sexual orientation or gender identity. That’s where AKT steps in and does a magnificent job.
During my term in office, I hope to see AKT grow and thrive to become a truly national organisation, building on its existing strengths and the talent of its staff and volunteers. I am greatly looking forward to being part of that team.”
Now in its 23rd year, the AKT enables lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) young people to live in safe homes and to fulfil their potential. AKT supports young LGBT 16-25 year olds who are made homeless or living in a hostile environment. For more information or to get involved visit www.akt.org.uk
Compliance with indirect disability discrimination under the new Equality Act is being simplified through an innovative solution from Total Hygiene.
Under the Act, which replaces the Disability Discrimination Act, service providers are required to make reasonable changes- including to the built environment- where a disabled customer or potential customer would otherwise be at a substantial disadvantage; previously, such changes were only required if it would have been impossible or unreasonably difficult for the person to access or use the service.
-Everybody needs to go to the toilet, and we ‘go’ on average eight times a day,” says Total Hygiene marketing manager Robin Tuffley. -Therefore, providing appropriate toileting facilities is now even more important than ever to ensure compliance with the Act, especially as the law now only questions whether an adjustment is a reasonable one to make.”
Total Hygiene’s solution is a raft of options that address toileting needs regardless of available space. Adds Robin, – BS8300: 2009 says that if space limits the provision of separate male, female and accessible toilets, then one accessible toilet should be provided. The simplest way to ensure compliance with the new Act, and other relevant Standards, is to build or refurbish one toilet, which provides a larger cubicle to accommodate a wheelchair and a carer, and includes a grab rail, emergency cord and a ‘wash and dry’ toilet such as a Clos-o-Mat.
-That one washroom can replace all the others, potentially releasing valuable floorspace and thus offsetting the relatively small capital investment, whilst addressing the needs of everyone, regardless of ability or even religious considerations.”
A Clos-o-Mat toilet, made in Britain by Total Hygiene, looks like, and can be used as, a conventional WC. It also has integral douche and drying facilities, which eliminate the need to wipe clean with toilet tissue after toileting. As a result, it addresses issues faced by anyone with manual or balance limitations- and the Islamic Qadaahul Haajah requirements.
The only toilet of its type developed specifically for disabled people, the Clos-o-Mat is proven in practice, with over 40,000 installed in domestic, public and commercial environments, many of which have been in regular use for over 30 years, demonstrating its fitness for purpose, quality and reliability. It is also the only unit of its kind to carry WRAS approval enabling legal connection to the mains water supply, and to be backed up by a nationwide in-house service & maintenance team.
Fibrelite’s lightweight, incredibly strong fibreglass composite covers with zero re-sale value in the scrap market are the perfect metal theft deterrent.
The increase in metal costs has stimulated the theft of metal manhole, trench and gully covers. Metal theft is now having a serious impact on the global economy through inflated insurance premiums, high repair and replacement costs as well as causing extremely serious health and safety hazards.
Fibrelite is strategically placed to utilise its quality, high volume manufacturing facilities in the UK, US and Malaysia to offer a very cost competitive alternative to metal that can benefit all affected industries. Fibrelite has manufactured and sold globally over 250,000 covers.
Fibrelite first pioneered the composite covering system in 1980 and set the standard by which performance is now measured. Fibrelite initially developed the composite cover for petrol station forecourts to withstand the wheel loading of heavy goods vehicles and from there quickly went on to be adopted worldwide. Fibrelite is considered as the industry standard by the major oil companies and continues to lead the way in composite innovation.
Having established a global reputation for high quality products and superior after sales service the company has held accreditation to both the ISO quality standard and British Standards Kite Mark since 1998. Fibrelite is the first composite cover manufacturer to have KIWA approval.
Fibrelite’s covers comply with the requirement of BS EN 124:1994, classes C250 & D400 and provide an excellent anti slip/skid surface which is guaranteed for the life of the cover, with a value of Polished Skid resistance Value (PSRV>50 when in wet conditions) which meets the requirements of HA 109/09, part 5.
The covers are manufactured in a close mould environment combining long strand multi-directional fibreglass with a specifically formulated resin matrix to produce an extremely durable but lightweight, approx. 1/3rd the weight of a steel or cast iron cover. The covers are inert so will not corrode, are not electrically conductive and have low thermal conductivity. Highly effective in covering manholes, gullies and trenches that contain cable, wire or fluid and perfect for where access is required as they are such a lightweight alternative to metal and concrete. They are unaffected by underground gasses and most chemicals, particularly those involved with sewage.
Global Expansion
Fibrelite announced earlier this month it has expanded global operations with the opening of a new Malaysian production and service facility in order to meet accelerating demand. In addition to this new facility, Fibrelite also has a 30,000sq ft. factory in the UK and a 35,000sq ft. plant in the US.
Cost Benefits
Although composite is initially more expensive than metal, the monolithic structure of a Fibrelite cover means they will not delaminate or corrode. With a minimum guaranteed lifespan of 15 maintenance free years, these covers are a ‘fit and forget’ product that can be fully lockable. So when considering the total cost of ownership, composite covers represent excellent value for money versus metal.
Typical Applications
To provide a guide, typical applications include: access for electrical junction boxes, access points for piping, airport meter pits, catch basin covers, sanitary access covers, fuel tanks, grease trap covers, leak detection covers, meter pits, monitoring wells, non-conductive electrical drawpits, oil water seperators, pipe trench covers, piping sumps, removable planking, sewer access, submersible pumps, tank gauge covers, underground chambers, underground communication boxes, valve boxes.
Recent Customer Quotes
“We were looking for an installation to replace our ageing duct covers. Fibrelite came up with this solution and it is manufactured and sourced locally.”
“I was impressed with how easy the install was and couldn’t believe how light the covers were whilst still being able to hold 40 tonne loadings.”
“We are very happy with this solution. We do not need a forklift truck anymore to remove the concrete slab and can get to the geothermal installation in a minute.”
“We are working with Fibrelite to retrofit our older vaults. The Fibrelite covers met an important need to find a light, durable, temperature, corrosion and abrasion resistant cover that seals out the surface water.”
More information regarding Fibrelite can be found at www.fibrelite.com
MatsSoft will urge hard-pressed delegates to let technology take the strain at the Changing the Culture of Government, Reforming Public Services conference and exhibition next month.
Tony Lockwood from MatsSoft will discuss the growing role of web-based platforms in helping public sector organisations operate more efficiently, when he addresses his audience in London on 3rd April.
The focus of Mr Lockwood’s speech will be Francis Maude’s pledge, following the formation of the coalition government in 2010, to leave ‘no stone unturned’ in ensuring central government delivers better for less, tackling the deficit whilst protecting frontline services.
The pressure to do better for less is being felt in every corner of the public sector, leaving executives with the seemingly impossible objective of delivering improved services while simultaneously cutting costs.
A key strategy that Mr Lockwood will introduce is the adoption of web-based technology to help manage internal workflow. Process tracking technology like MATS® (Multi Application Tracking System) helps workers log and monitor the progress of everyday cases ranging from applications to complaints. This facilitates improved communication between staff and departments, helping to eliminate delays, mistakes and efficiencies.
MatsSoft has helped numerous local authorities speed up and simplify the handling of routine customer-facing processes by smoothing out the end-to-end flow of information, with customers receiving automated progress updates when predetermined key stages have been reached.
Drawing from successful projects undertaken with authorities including Bedford Borough Council and Peterborough City Council, Mr Lockwood will explain how the delivery of such updates, via SMS or email, can help reduce incoming ‘chaser calls’ that have to be fielded at an estimated cost of £4 to £5 per call, which can quickly run into many thousands of pounds.
Mr Lockwood will tell delegates: – Significant benefits have been gained by introducing management systems that encourage stronger cohesion between disparate departments and functions by ensuring a smoother flow of information both internally and externally.
From a workforce management viewpoint, staff are freed from the stress of fielding bulk chaser calls and can be redeployed on more productive activities. Customers are better informed, as they are reassured of progress and far less likely to feel the need to make a chaser call. For managers, the result is that processing efficiency rises by up to 30 per cent.
There are growing indications that public sector organisations are getting up to speed with the digital revolution and making increasingly active use of social media networks to engage and collaborate with the public.
The recent appointment of Mike Bracken, previously at Guardian News and Media, as the Government’s director of Digital is a sign that the Government’s approach to social engagement, and, in particular, how it interacts with the public at large, is starting to change. Bracken’s vision for Government online should ensure that social media will play a key role in the future in improving the Government’s record in digital engagement.
Yet, so far it is in the Police where social media usage for public engagement has taken off most markedly. Many forces are already actively exploring using social media for everything from sharing safety-related information to appealing for information on specific crimes; improving community relations and interacting more effectively with the public.
Joining the Conversation
Of course, to be successful, efforts to reach out to local communities rely on public readiness to engage with these groups. Today there is evidence that this is starting to be the case, especially as far as the Police is concerned.
A recent survey of more than 2,000 British adults, carried out for SAS by online polling firm, YouGov, finds that people are most willing to share information when they expect it to lead to higher levels of security. The study found that nearly half (48%) of the British public would be prepared to share personal data with the police in return for enhanced personal security against criminal or terrorist attacks.
This willingness to share highlights that despite negative publicity about poor police relations with the public being a factor in the 2011 Summer riots, there remains a readiness among the public to engage with the police if it means better protection for themselves and their families.
The research also revealed an increasing willingness to report crimes via social media rather than by telephone or face-to-face, especially among the young. 15% of 18-24-year-olds said they would use a social media site to contact the police if they witnessed a crime (as opposed to only 1% of the 55-plus age range).
It is clear that younger people, in particular, appreciate the benefits of swapping privacy for enhanced security. To optimise the advantages that this approach potentially provides, the police increasingly need to keep on top of these trends and use social media to actively engage with the public.
There is an opportunity here for the police to tap into a rich source of public information – a source that is likely to be strengthened further if they are successful in building levels of trust with the public and stronger community links.
And the willingness to share extends beyond the purely online domain, as demonstrated by the Metropolitan Police’s new counter-terror campaign – “It’s probably nothing, but”, which urges people to report suspicious behaviour by calling a dedicated hotline. The campaign underlines the continuing threat to the British public from terrorism and criminal activity but it also highlights the benefits of close engagement between the police and public in countering this threat.
The public’s readiness to share personal information with the police and, increasingly in the future, other public sector groups, can stimulate a change in the conversation. The explosion in social media has seen a revolution in the way the world communicates. The time is now right for law enforcement agencies, and ultimately other public sector groups, to ensure that they catch up and actively work together with the public to deliver enhanced levels of personal and public security.
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Paragon Software Systems has donated a Ford Transit van to Streetscape, a social enterprise providing opportunities for young unemployed people in London. Streetscape runs apprenticeships that help young people find employment as landscape gardeners and Paragon, the routing and scheduling software company, has been a loyal Streetscape supporter since its launch in 2009.
We are now fully mobile thanks to Paragon’s generous donation. To have the backing of a company with such a great reputation means a lot to us and to the people we work with. It helps them see that there are commercial organisations out there that have a social conscience, believe in what we are doing and are happy to give their support. The new vehicle gives us independence and will allow us to broaden Streetscape’s outreach, says Guy Watts, Streetscape’s Chairman and Co-Founder.
Streetscape has also secured a permanent base at Myatt’s Field Park, which is a listed Victorian park in the south London Borough of Lambeth. Streetscape apprentices help with maintaining the park, as well as gaining invaluable on the job training and education working for Streetscape’s commercial and residential clients across South London.
Streetscape was set up during the recession but this has not limited its important work and already has two apprentices progressing through year-long apprenticeships. -It is very encouraging to see what we have achieved in such a short time. The people who come to us often lack confidence in their own capabilities and in dealing with the public. After six months with us our current apprentices have learnt new work skills, they recognise that they can contribute and their ability to communicate has come on in leaps and bounds, both in dealing with colleagues and our clients, adds James Gubb, Streetscape’s Project Manager and Co-Founder.
“We remain committed to helping Streetscape achieve what it set out to do. These are challenging economic times and the Streetscape team is working hard to help unemployed young people find their true potential. The new van will undoubtedly help the organisation with the practicalities of getting out and about to do the work and we are really pleased to have been able to purchase it for them, says William Salter, Managing Director of Paragon Software Systems.
For more information see www.streetscape.org.uk.
An urgent remodelling of the UK’s energy infrastructure is vital if the country wants to decarbonise without -the lights going out and not be reliant on imported energy supplies, says a new report by the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment (SSEE) at the University of Oxford.
Towards a low carbon pathway for the UK, emphasises the need to remodel our infrastructure between now and 2025 to redress the balance between energy security and decarbonisation. Following up on last year’s report, -A low carbon nuclear future, SSEE’s latest research highlights how, with the right strategy, a £100bn world-leading nuclear industry, providing over 75,000 jobs and guaranteeing a consistent, safe energy supply, while still meeting long term carbon emission targets, can be achieved.
Towards a low carbon pathway for the UK explores two key aspects of the UK’s energy landscape: the future delivery of low carbon energy and the initial moves towards a new build programme, and the more immediate first steps of safely and cost efficiently dealing with the UK’s plutonium inventory.
Professor Sir David King, Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford comments: – If we are to ensure we have a safe, secure and affordable supply of energy as we move through the century we need a coherent strategy that allows the UK to develop a full suite of low carbon energy sources. It is clear from our study that nuclear must play an important part in the energy mix but to do so requires a long term pathway and critical insights.
The recent announcements on the Franco-British Accord and the desire to create a long-term strategy for nuclear up to and beyond 2050 are welcome, but we need to address the fundamental issue that energy provision is generally a 100 year programme and requires not just a long-term view, but skills and the science base to support it.
Whilst nuclear new build is essential, with a quarter of the UK’s current generating capacity coming to the end of its life over the next ten years, the report highlights that we must also deal with the legacy issues that have been with us for many years. Failure to do so could have a detrimental effect on the whole nuclear industry in the UK. Furthermore, if we are to retain public support for nuclear as a key part of our future energy mix, then we have to demonstrate that lessons have been learnt and that there is in place a coherent policy framework which will capitalise on the opportunities and benefits on offer.
An enormous challenge in meeting future electricity demand is anticipated with the predicted electrification of transport and heating increasing demand by 100% by 2050. To ensure we can keep the lights on and meet our low carbon energy targets, it will be essential to use greater levels of nuclear power. This will require either much higher uranium reserves than currently identified, or a change of fuel cycle to minimise uranium use.
Using the UK plutonium inventory to manufacture MOX (mixed oxide) fuel is the Government’s ‘minded to’ position. Coupled with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s stance on reprocessing spent fuel from advanced gas-cooled reactors the de facto UK policy on nuclear would, therefore, be the recycling of plutonium and uranium as fuel.
The structure of the UK nuclear industry, however, is currently aligned more towards the ‘no nuclear’ stance of 2003 than the ‘new build’ stance of 2012 and the report points out the clear need for some form of independent body to advise on long-term nuclear strategy and options.
Men with prostate cancer are at risk of being left behind those with other common cancers thanks to a spate of recent moves by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), The Prostate Cancer Charity has warned.
Speaking at a special drop-in event at the Houses of Parliament, The Prostate Cancer Charity’s Chief Executive Owen Sharp, claimed that -short sighted NICE decision makers were compromising the needs of men with prostate cancer as the Charity unveils its own vision for the care of men with the disease across the country.
Referring to a two year delay to the development of a quality standard for prostate cancer by NICE, in his opening speech at the ‘Quality Care. Everywhere’ campaign event, Sharp said:
Men with prostate cancer are no strangers to having to fight to gain access to the treatment and care they need. Delays in the development of national standards of care mean that many men continue not to be fully supported when they need it most. In the past, similar delays have led to men reporting a worse experience of care than people with other common cancers. We do not want to repeat these mistakes.
NICE is incredibly short sighted when it comes to men with prostate cancer. Along with other decisions, such as refusing to recommend vital treatments for men dying of the disease, they are in danger of jeopardising what little progress has been made for men.
A recent survey by the Charity, as well as evidence from the latest National Cancer Patient Experience Survey, shows that a significant number of men with prostate cancer are still not getting the support and information they need and wide regional variation in the standard of care men in England can expect still persists1,2. Unfortunately, NICE’s decision to delay the development of quality standards for prostate cancer until 2013 means this variation is at risk of increasing.
In the absence of formal standards, the Charity has now taken matters in to its own hands. After a wide-ranging consultation with people affected by prostate cancer, it has compiled a draft set of standards that set out what good quality care looks like. Alongside with campaigners in Westminster today, they are calling for MPs and policy makers to support these standards and help push through their speedy development.
Sharp continued:
-Choosing which treatment to have can be a minefield for men with prostate cancer and many are simply not getting the level of support and information they need to navigate this. We cannot afford to wait for NICE to stop dragging its heels. We are proud to have developed our own set of standards, with men at their heart, and urge MPs to pledge their support for them. A Quality Standard for breast cancer ‘the most common cancer in women’ was published almost two years ago, yet men with prostate cancer are forced to wait. We must move swiftly to change this inequity.
The Charity is calling on MPs to show their support for the campaign by publicising the draft standards to their constituents so that as many people affected by the disease as possible can feed in their views.
John Baron MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, has thrown his backing to the initiative. He said: “I very much support the work The Prostate Cancer Charity is doing to identify standards of quality prostate cancer care. It is unacceptable that the quality of prostate cancer services varies across the country. The charity’s work will help to redress some of these inequalities and I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this work.”
Local Government in the UK is facing an unprecedented set of challenges. The draconian cuts in funding brought about by the parlous state of the UK’s public finances mean that it must reduce its expenditure by around 30% over a four-year period. At the same time factors such as the ageing population and the economic downturn are driving increasing demand for some local government services.There is also pressure to improve services such as education and social care.
Local authorities also have to consider how to make use of the Localism Act designed to give them enhanced freedoms from central government. Government has suggested that the Act will result -in greater innovation and a new, more confident and entrepreneurial approach which should, in turn, lead to greater efficiencies, improved partnership working and the ability to help their communities in ways previously outside their remit. Whether this is indeed the case remains to be seen.
This is a hugely challenging agenda that requiresall local authorities to give serious and in-depth consideration as to their real purpose for existence and what they should actually be doing. However, what seems more likely is that some local authorities will deal with these challenges more effectively than others. Some will respond dynamically and pro-actively, giving detailed consideration to the challenges being faced,while others will attempt to retain existing cultures, services and management methods.Given the magnitude of the funding cuts, the latter approach does not seem viable.
A recent report by the Audit Commission entitled -Delivering services with a reduced income, looked at having a more strategic approach to financial planning and management in local government. While noting that good financial management is essential for the delivery of good public services the Commission also focussed on the importance of having a strategic dimension to planning which would help councils to make the right decisions in the short, medium and longer term. However, the Commission noted that less than a third of the councils visited as part of this project displayed the full features needed, so there is considerable scope for improvement.
Politicians will often argue that the challenges facing local government can be dealt with by greater -efficiency as if this is something that can be done as easily as taking a pill. In reality things are more complex, and what is needed are a number of organisational initiatives and developments. Of particular importance are those of prioritisation and innovation.
Prioritisation
Of the many activities undertaken by local government, some will be more valuable and important than others. This is not to say that other activities are pointless (although they might be) but that there is bound to be some which should take priority. It is important to recognise thiswhen undertaking service and financial planning.
Some local authorities will approach the funding reductions by trying to retain the vast bulk of their activities while cutting funding across the board. The danger of thisis that many of the most important activities might become unviable or ineffective because of the cuts in funding they have to absorb.
Other local authorities,who recognise that not all activities are of equal importance, will approach the funding reductions by identifying and eliminating the activities of lowest value while preserving the remaining high-value activities in a viable form. Research evidence shows that of local authorities who have hit major financial problems, those that are able to prioritise activities successfully are more likely to recover quickly. This means that effective management processes for undertaking such prioritisation on the basis of robust analysis (not guesswork or prejudice) are essential.
Innovation
The challenges facing local government can be addressed by an on-going process of service innovation. This can involve any number of things such as:
Different service models
Different service locations
Different staffing configurations
Different service delivery approaches etc.
Getting local government to innovate in relation to service delivery is not always easy. There are a number of key features needed.
Support from top managementis vital – not disdain as sometimes happens. So too is a shared responsibility for innovation across the organisation, and a positive attitude towards risk-taking (particularly from central government). Not all innovations will succeed (as the private sector knows only too well) and it is important to create a culture where people are not fearful of innovation.
There also needs to be a climate which encourages experimentation and evaluation, plus rewards systems that encourage innovation. And the involvement of people from different backgrounds (rather than a ‘closed shop’ of service professionals) is essential. For example, the input from service users is often an ingredient of service innovation. Last but not least, the provision of resources for innovation has to adequate.
How many local authorities can truly claim to have all of these features of prioritisation and innovation in place?It seems likely that there is considerable scope for improvement across the sector. This is not always easy and necessitates a wide range of skills including: project management; organisational design and development; change management;knowledge management,etc.Only in this way can these unprecedented challenges be faced.
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Malcolm Prowle is professor of business performance at Nottingham Business School and a visiting research professor at the Open University Business School. Malcolm is an expert on the economics, finance and management of public services. He has advised ministers, senior civil servants and public service managers on a wide range of public policy and implementation issues.
With the summer term coming up, it is worth reminding schools that taking photographs of children at sports days and other activities does not usually breach the Data Protection Act.
There have been repeated occasions when photographers have been prevented from taking photographs at school events by heads or teachers quoting the DPA or government guidelines.
But the IC has reminded LEAs and those working in schools, colleges and universities, that the DPA is unlikely to apply in many situations where photographs are taken in schools.
Some local authorities are still issuing head teachers with guidance that the Information Commission has said is wrong, and based on myths.
It has stressed that the media are entitled to take photographs, and publish children’s full names and ages.
Schools do have a duty to inform parents that the press are present, and why. And it is the school’s job – not the photographer’s – to make sure photographs are not taken of children whose parents have withheld consent.
The DPA does not prevent photographers from asking children’s names and ages for captions – and the details can be used without consent.
But teachers are within their rights to refuse to pass on names and ages, as they are covered by the DPA.
The government has never issued guidelines to schools about media photography. It leaves the final decision to individual schools and LEAs.
Cleland Thom is a consultant and trainer in media law-
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Ever since the death of 14 year old Lillian Groves last year, who was knocked down and killed by a speeding driver who had taken cannabis, large anti-drug driving campaigns have been launched across the United Kingdom. However, changes are needed to the legislation underpinning drug-driving offences, which will make it easier for police officers to detect drivers and charge them. The current law states that:
1. A person who, when driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place, is unfit to drive through drink or drugs is guilty of an offence
2. A person shall be taken to be unfit to drive if his ability to drive properly is for the time being impaired .
Although the offence is very clear, this question of impairment means it can be difficult for police to enforce. Currently the best available method of detecting drug use at the roadside is the Field Impairment Test (FIT), which relies on specially trained traffic officers observing an individual’s performance in physical and mental skills tests and other elements such as pupil dilation.
Yet FIT tests are not currently used consistently as a matter of course by all UK police forces. The statistics highlight a huge difference between the numbers of tests conducted for drug driving compared to those for drink driving. They also show that a proportionately higher number of drivers tested positive for drugs than for alcohol.
According to the national Association of Chief Police Officers, figures from the 2011 summer drink and drug driving campaign show that:
Police conducted 88,629 breath alcohol tests – six percent were positive, failed or refused
In comparison, just 337 Field Impairment Tests were carried out for drug driving – with 36 percent arrested.
Elsewhere in the world
Roadside testing is carried out in many other countries including Australia, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Belgium, France and Spain. The difference between the UK and these countries is the legislation. Rather than focusing on impairment, the offence is driving with certain drugs in the system.
Since the introduction of a testing regime in 2004, a clear trend has been seen in the State of Victoria, Australia, with incidences of drivers detected with illicit drugs in their system halved over a five-year period, from one driver in 44 to one driver in 94. This means that fewer drivers are driving while taking drugs, indicating that a regime such as the one adopted by Australia is effective in reducing drug driving and contributing to safer roads. This significant impact has been due to the combination of an effective, highly visible roadside enforcement process in combination with driver awareness media campaigns.
Australia’s State of Victoria Police Inspector Martin Boorman, said in a statement to Concateno last year: “In Australia, the use of roadside drug testing technology has proved extremely successful and has certainly helped to make our roads safer. Roadside drug testing, much like the roadside alcohol screening test, acts as a deterrent, but also provides the police with a quick and effective means to help catch those people who drive while using illegal substances. This technology, used in conjunction with a widespread educational campaign, has and continues to be extremely successful,” Inspector Boorman continued.
Concateno’s involvement
Concateno is heavily involved in anti-drug driving campaigns, fully supporting the family of Lillian Groves as well as producing handheld drug devices which are used at the roadside in various countries including Australia, Croatia, Italy and Spain.
At present there is already equipment available to British police which can be used at the roadside, however this law has not been enforced by the government. Instead, police are required to use a Field Impairment Test, rather than technology because it is not known what quantity of drugs cause impairment – unlike alcohol.
With drug driving increasingly becoming a problem, Concateno believes it is time to update the law, making it easier for police to test for drug drivers. By using roadside drug devices such as the DDS2, will make it easier for police to test offenders easier and quicker. Currently the DDS, which is the precursor to the DDS2, is used in police custody suites as part of the Drug Intervention Programme (DIP), which tests individuals arrested for trigger offences, such as burglary, for opiate and cocaine use. This handheld drug testing device is currently used in 174 police custody suites in England and Wales as part of the DIP to carry out 240,000 tests annually.
What next?
As an interim stage, the Home Office are looking at introducing drug testing into police stations to test for drivers that have been shown to be impaired. In a recent interview David Cameron admitted that this deadline will not be met. Just last week, the Prime Minster met with Lillian’s family to discuss roadside drug testing, and confirmed that ministers were looking at implementing a new offence of driving under the influence of drugs, to enable the introduction of roadside drug testing. Cameron said to Lillian’s family that roadside drug testing devices are -incredibly simple and should be in every police car.” What happens next, remains to be seen.
RAPID VISION SYSTEMS EXPANDS PRESENCE IN RETAIL SECTOR
Rapid Vision Systems, one of the UK’s leading developers of redeployable CCTV solutions, has appointed Matthew Hopley as Surveillance Solutions Consultant for the retail sector. Based at the company’s headquarters in Coventry, West Midlands, he will be responsible for building relationships with new and existing customers and identifying new opportunities for Rapid Vision Systems’ innovative range of CCTV solutions throughout the UK.
Matthew Hopley has over 16 years experience in the security industry and worked in the Corporate Security department of Asda Stores which is part of Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer. As Regional Corporate Security Manager, he carried out complex investigations working closely with local and national agencies. He also conducted security risk reviews including the specification of a wide range of security products including access control, CCTV, intruder alarms and covert surveillance devices.
According to Dennis Saunders, Managing Director of Rapid Vision Systems: -Matthew Hopley has a level of experience that is almost unique in the industry and understands the day-to-day security requirements of retailers. His appointment will enable us to expand our presence in this important market sector.”
About Rapid Vision Systems
Rapid Vision Systems Ltd is a specialist provider of redeployable CCTV solutions to the police, local authorities, housing associations, crime reduction partnerships and other organisations. They are used for a wide range of overt and covert operations to combat antisocial behaviour, street crime, drug dealing and racial harassment. Rapid Vision Systems provides the highest level of technical backup and support for the life of the equipment and offers free user training when required.
UK public sector organisations can now procure cloud collaboration and content management technology quickly and easily as Huddle today announced its inclusion on the G-Cloud Services Framework. Removing the need for single tender justification, both the secure public version of Huddle, which can be used for collaboration on data up to IL2, and Huddle IL3, for collaboration on RESTRICTED data, can now be purchased via the Framework.
The leader in cloud collaboration and content management, Huddle already works with 75 per cent of central government departments, including the Ministry of Justice and the Cabinet Office, and numerous local government and NHS organisations. With the government promoting a shift to cloud-based technologies and collaborative working initiatives, there is an increasing demand for tools that support cross-department collaboration and joined-up government. Unlike many on-premise legacy ICT systems, Huddle and Huddle IL3 can be set up in minutes, with no special architecting or customisations required, and software updates occur automatically.
-Huddle’s inclusion on the G-Cloud Framework is great news for public sector organisations and growing UK businesses, stated Alastair Mitchell, CEO, Huddle. -The Framework enables organisations to make the move from costly on-premise legacy ICT systems to innovative cloud-based technologies much faster and creates real competition in the government cloud services marketplace. Securing government technology deals has long been an area dominated by integrators and technology goliaths and this Framework has now levelled the playing field.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has thrown its weight behind campaigners in Queen’s Park who want to set up London’s first parish council.
Westminster City Council’s consultation on how neighbourhoods are run ends today, with residents in Queen’s Park at the front of the queue to urge the City Council to grant them a new parish council so they can make improvements to their area and give people a voice.
As a supporter of localism, the Government’s approach to a greater devolution of power and decision making to the lowest possible level, NALC is calling for Westminster City Council to listen to residents in Queen’s Park and other areas who wish to have their own grassroots council.
Chairman of NALC, Councillor Michael Chater OBE said: -New parish councils in London would empower people to take more control over their lives and neighbourhoods. There is a clear case for a new parish council in Queen’s Park to join the 9000 grassroots councils that already exist across the country. I have been extremely impressed by the ambition and determination of the people in Queen’s Park to improve their community and the lives of residents through a new council.
-A Government white paper last year set out their support for parish councils and made it clear they wanted to see more councils established to take greater control over local services. As one of the Government’s flagship authorities, Westminster City Council has a golden and exciting opportunity to build on its track record of empowering communities by creating new parish councils in areas of Westminster where residents wish to do so.
Head of Policy and Development at NALC, Justin Griggs, who is leading their work in London to promote grassroots democracy and raise awareness about local councils, said: -A new council in Queen’s Park is the only democratic and transparent governance arrangement able to meet and sustain the needs and ambitions of residents. This is because it would have a statutory basis with a range of legal powers; be democratically accountable to local people; and able raise a precept from the local community to invest in neighbourhood services and projects. It would also have a positive impact on community cohesion.
Queen’s Park chair Angela Singhate says: -Our campaign began at a meeting in the community centre 18 months ago and it’s really exciting we’ve come this far. We hope Westminster City Council will listen to residents who have made it clear a community council is what they want. We are determined to make real improvements to our neighbourhood and the lives of all who live here.
Local schools, businesses, voluntary groups and the University of Westminster have also voiced their support for a new council in Queen’s Park.
Westminster City Council will decide on future governance arrangements at a meeting of the Council in May.
Leading washroom provider Washroom Washroom was recently appointed to provide changing room specifications as part of new sports facilities installed at an all boys’ school in Isleworth, London.
Isleworth and Syon School for Boys required refurbishment to its three existing changing areas and has now been complete with practical specifications to suit its 11-plus user-group.
Changing rooms were designed with an open plan layout and specifications were required to complement this space as well as provide practical amenities to meet the demands of frequent use.
Washroom Washroom installed Legato benching in Solid Grade Laminate (SGL) for its hardwearing, durable and waterproof properties, making it a practical choice for changing rooms. Specified with fixed clothes hookrails, Legato benching provided students with a convenient clothes storage whilst making most of the open-plan space.
Matching SGL wall panelling ensured benching could be securely fixed as well as to protect walls from longer-term wear and tear.
Finally, Washroom Washroom installed Luminoso translucent shower cubicles provided a practical and safe shower solution for students. Specified in Acrylic materials with smooth edges for unparalleled safety, cubicles ensured a safe and shatter-resistant solution.
Trevor Bowers, director at Washroom Washroom added: -Washroom Washroom is able to provide solutions to suit any number of projects. Isleworth and Syon School for Boys is the perfect example of a project that required practical specifications that combined durability and privacy. Washroom Washroom was able to meet these requirements by providing products from our highly engineered range to create changing room areas suitable, safe and long-lasting.”
For more information on the range of services and products offered by Washroom Washroom, please visit www.washroom.co.uk, call 0845 470 3000 or email sales@washroom.co.uk.
Chris Hardy, McAfee UK public sector, comments below in response to the recent PwC report which highlights the growing threat to the public sector posed by cybercrime. The risk is clearly heightened by the amount and nature of data held by governments, and the damage to public trust and confidence which would result from a large breach.
-As government continues to invest in shared services – with a view to cut costs – and initiatives such as Universal Credit get closer to becoming a reality, so the volume of data flowing across the public sector continues to grow. In this environment, it is understandable that public sector workers and citizens alike are paying close attention to the security and privacy implications. To realise the cost savings available from managing and delivering public services online, the general public has to have faith in central and local government’s ability to protect their data.
Programmes such as the UK Cyber Security Strategy and work with the International Cyber Security Protection Alliance (ICSPA) help to demonstrate how seriously the UK government takes the issue.
Taking a more strategic approach to tackling cybercrime and viewing government systems in a holistic manner would also go a long way to bolstering defences. By allowing the security system to share intelligence, any potential attacks can be identified more quickly and knowledge can be shared across multiple systems to build further resilience.
As data breaches stop hitting the headlines, public confidence in online services will increase, meaning that budget that would otherwise have to support physical locations can instead be spent on improving services for the long term.”
Following a successful three-month trial at waste water treatment works in Northamptonshire, England, Anglian Water is considering the use Jabbakam’s cloud-based IP camera surveillance system at further sites located across the country.
In the past, Anglian Water sites have been targets for theft, trespass and vandalism, which can put site safety and quality of the service at risk.
Anglian Water’s objective in deploying the Jabbakam system is to reduce such incidents, as well as increasing general security for their staff. If and when an incident occurs, Anglian Water would be able to use the Jabbakam video evidence, made available immediately from the Internet, to pursue the perpetrators.
One key challenge to using IP video surveillance in remote locations is economically connecting to the Internet. Anglian Water has resolved this issue by connecting to Jabbakam’s web-based video surveillance system via the Hughes IPoS network, and Anglian Water’s use of the Hughes IPoS network to connect its Northamptonshire sites to the Jabbakam IP video surveillance network via the Internet is a commercial first.
Conventional CCTV systems are often stolen or vandalised by the criminals, meaning the video evidence is destroyed or stolen. In the case of Jabbakam, all video data is immediately transmitted off-site, via the Internet, and therefore can’t be destroyed or physically removed from the site.
Previously, a satellite link to the internet would have been uneconomic to deploy and uneconomic to use for remote surveillance purposes. However, the Jabbakam system makes this possible because it is designed to operate in bandwidth-deprived environments.
The operation of conventional CCTV systems depends on the continual streaming and monitoring of video footage. This makes connecting them to satellite systems technically challenging, expensive and uneconomic for the protection of all but, the most sensitive of sites (military installations etc).
With Jabbakam, video footage is recorded on an exception basis (usually triggered by movement or another user-defined event). The size of the data output is miniscule compared to conventional CCTV systems.
Jabbakam now allows those organisations, that want to protect remote locations vulnerable to theft, vandalism and trespass and that have no current means to connect to the Internet, to do so both effectively and economically, by creating their own Jabbakam IP camera surveillance networks.
Lynda Chamberlain, Anglian Water’s Security Manager, commented, -We chose to pilot Jabbakam at these remote locations because if it worked there it would work anywhere. This pilot has shown us that Jabbakam can work well in such locations thanks to the use of satellite.”
The Jabbakam system provides immediate access to footage via one click connectivity and it is competitively priced. The system’s low power requirements mean it will also be possible to use solar panels at those remote sites that have no access to mains power.
Whenever an event occurs on-site, Jabbakam alerts the relevant manager that something is going on via email or text message with an image and a link to a video attached. Depending on the content of the video the manager is then able to take appropriate action.”
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