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WELCOME BY CHAIRMAN
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Welcome to the East of England Local Government Association e-bulletin.
The Association brings together leaders and portfolio holders from across the East of England to discuss and act on the issues that really matter to them.
I hope that you will find these updates useful and make use of the services and support on offer. Please also take time to visit the Association's website - www.eelga.gov.uk.
Robert Gordon, Chairman, East of England LGA
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| NEWS |
Stephen Hammond MP addresses Council Leaders
At a recent meeting of the East of England LGA Assembly, Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, set out to Council Leaders how the bureaucratic barriers facing local government would be broken down with:
- the ring-fencing of funding already largely gone.
- Prescriptive performance targets and monitoring regimes are swiftly following.
- Government data collection focussing on what is really needed and discarding the rest.
However, the biggest boost to localism, he stated, will be delivered through the Localism Bill, which is currently progressing through parliament and has finished its Committee stage in the Commons.
In particular he outlined how the General Power of Competence would operate; giving Councils the legal backing to do anything that is not specifically banned and allowing councils to get on with responding to the needs of local communities without fear of legal challenge.
Read more...
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The 2011 - 2015 Affordable Homes Programme
What steps should authorities be taking to secure effective outcomes for their areas?
The new Affordable Homes Programme sets out a radically new way of delivering affordable housing. The HCA has invited providers (principally housing associations) to submit by 3rd May their proposals for the delivery of affordable housing over the period 2011 to 2015.
There is a need for local authorities to engage with partner providers, particularly over the next few weeks in order to ensure that any proposals put forward by other parties for their area are aimed at best meeting the needs of their communities.
The East of England LGA's Housing Project has produced a briefing paper setting out information on the Affordable Homes Programme and highlighting key issues for member authorities to consider.
Read more...
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Improvement East Delivery Plan Consultation
Improvement East is consulting the sector on the development of its year 4 programme.
The open consultation document outlines the three main priority areas for Improvement East going forward: innovation and best practice; efficiency and productivity; and, new ways of working.
Improvement East are asking for your views on these priorities and how the residual funding of approximately £6m is allocated in the future.
To participate in the consultation visit the Improvement East website.
Consultation closes on 22nd April 2011.
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Economic Development Update
The Association continues its work to support member authorities in the transition to new economic development structures.
Over the past three months, this has involved:
- Bringing together local enterprise partnerships and EEDA to oversee the transfer to new economic development structures;
- Launch of the Economic Development Portfolio-Holder Network to enable politicians to share learning and address issues of mutual concern;
- Discussions between senior BIS and CLG civil servants and a delegation of chief economic development officers to ensure Whitehall understands the requirements of our member authorities;
- Meetings between senior local authority officers and EEDA on specific transition issues and assets.
Read more...
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East of England innovation in health and electric mobility best practice to be showcased at Open Days 2011
The European Commission and Committee of the Regions has just announced its list of official partnerships for Open Days 2011, the week of Cities and Regions, taking place from October 10-13 2011.
The East of England Brussels Office is delighted to announce that it will once again be showcasing best practice from across the East of England European Partnership at this premium event.
Read more...
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UEA and Brussels Office promote graduate employability
On Monday 11th April, while other students enjoy a break from term, 6 students from the faculty of politics of the University of East Anglia arrive for a 4 week period of work experience in the Capital of the EU.
These 6 are the first of 16 graduate and undergraduate students, being supported by UEA's employability programme and the East of England Brussels Office, who will be gaining practical work experience of between 1 week and 1 month during 2011.
Read more...
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Support from Strategic Migration Partnership as transition arrangements for EU workers end on May 1st
The East of England LGA - Strategic Migration Partnership (SMP) has been communicating with partners to help prepare them for the closure of the Workers Registration Scheme from May 1st.
The Government established a Worker Registration Scheme (WRS) to monitor and regulate the participation of workers from the A8 countries in the UK labour market. The scheme will cease from 1 May 2011, thereby changing some benefit entitlements to EU migrants
Read more...
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Success for East of England Council at LGC Awards
Authorities in our region were recognised at the recent Local Government Chronicle (LGC) awards, with both Hertfordshire County Council and Norfolk County Council taking top places.
The LGC Awards are recognised as a huge honour by all who work within Local Government and help to showcase the innovation present within the sector. The Awards, organised by the LGC, act as a mark of distinction for the exceptional efforts being made every day to improve local communities.
Read more...
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East of England Represented at EU Sustainable Energy Week
Supported by the East of England Brussel's Office, two events at next week's EU Sustainable Energy Week 2011 will feature innovative work taking place in the East of England.
Two projects from Essex and Peterborough will highlight the good practice being developed within the region.
Read more...
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| EVENTS AND CONFERENCES |
Portfolio-Holder Networks
The Portfolio-Holder Networks enable councils, through their political leadership, the opportunity to collaborate on a number of important areas of policy. Further details on the range, purpose and operation of these network can be found here.
These
meetings are exclusively for councillors with a responsibility for the
particular area of focus and there is no charge for attendance.
Future network events include:
Adult Social Care and Health
Date: 8th June 2011, 13:30 - 15:30
Venue: Cambridgeshire County Council offices, Shire Hall, Cambridge
Children's Services and Education
Date: 23rd June 2011, 11:00 - 13:00
Venue: Cambridgeshire County Council offices, Shire Hall, Cambridge
Culture and Leisure
Date: 6th June 2011, 10:00 - 12:30
Venue: Suffolk County Council offices, Endeavour House, Ipswich
Other networks are currently in the process of setting future dates and these will be advertised once they are confirmed.
Contact hannah.shah@eelga.gov.uk for more information.
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Career Changer Conference - From Public to Private Sector Employment
Date: 12th April 2011, 9:30 - 16:15
Venue: Adastral Park, Martlesham Heath, Ipswich IP5 3RE
The East of England Local Government Association and BT are pleased to invite you to a conference designed to help public sector workers transition into private sector employment.
Read more...
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Child Trafficking - Advanced Course on Safeguarding Children delivered by ECPAT UK
Date: 24th May, 9:30 - 16:15
Venue: East of England LGA Offices, Flempton House, Flempton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6EG
This advanced course aims to build on practitioners' knowledge of child trafficking and assumes a basic understanding of the key issues. The focus will be on supporting and safeguarding suspected victims of child trafficking and some of the complexities this area of practice can create. The course will include new changes in practice since the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against the Trafficking in Human Beings including the National Referral Mechanism and new Trafficking Toolkit. The need for a multi-agency approach will underpin the course content.
Read more...
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Asset Management Master Class
Date: 7th June 2011, 10:30 - 15:30
Venue: Murray Edwards College, Kaetsu Centre, Storey's Way, Cambridge, CB3 0DR
Assets have an important part to
play in delivering council strategy, and a prototype Asset Management
Project has been delivered in Essex, which will deliver business cases
for change, rationalisation or new opportunities to share assets and
people.
This Improvement East event will build on this learning and
from other property and asset management projects in the East of England
and West Midlands. It will also focus on the skills required to
successfully manage assets and identify opportunities for efficiencies.
Through case studies, workshops and discussions delegates will be shown
the tools and techniques used in the various projects that can be
applied to a variety of asset types.
NB. This event has been rescheduled from the 19th April 2011.
Read more...
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Training Courses
We offer a range of different training courses which can be provided in-house or at our training centre at Flempton House in Suffolk. Scheduled upcoming training courses can be found here.
If you would like to arrange in-house training contact Leena Goshal, Team Leader - Employers Services on
01284 729472 or leena.ghoshal@eelga.gov.uk.
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USEFUL INFORMATION ABOUT THE EAST OF ENGLAND LGA
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Support for Employers
The
East of England LGA provides a range of tailored support to local
government and the wider public and the voluntary sector by bringing
in-depth expertise to bear on business problems. In addition to our
training, education and development services, we also have a team of
experienced specialists who provide the experience, knowledge and skills
you may need to meet the challenges for your organisation.
If you have any queries about our support for employers service, please contact: valerie.seaman@eelga.gov.uk
East of England Brussels Office
The
East of England Brussels Office is the eyes and ears on policy changes
and new opportunities in Europe. We help councils and other partners
engage with Europe, signposting potential partnership opportunities,
providing key information and obtain increased access to European
funding. To find out more visit: www.east-of-england.eu
For full details of all opportunities please visit
interchange.eelga.gov.uk. If you have any difficulties accessing the system please contact: valerie.Seaman@eelga.gov.uk
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Feedback
The East of England LGA would like to hear from you. Please contact info@eelga.gov.uk with comments or suggestions on any aspect of our work.
The East of England LGA is firmly committed to respecting your privacy. We do not share
your information with any third party. If you feel you have received
this email in error or wish to unsubscribe from receiving these updates click here.
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