http://psnet.save9.net The Public Services Network is the organisation for public service providers. http://psnet.save9.net/images/logo.jpg http://psnet.save9.net en-gb http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=193 CLG is seeking views on updating and re-issuing existing guidance which sets out how staff who work on best value authority contracts are treated. For more go to: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:32:19 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=193 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=192 Six places ranging from a residential street to an entire region of England were named as England's first 'Zero Waste Places' by Environment Minister Jane Kennedy today and PSnet member organisations are involved! For more details go to: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:26:25 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=192 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=191 Three of our waste operatives got through to the final of a national award – thanks to their continued hard work and dedication in Hertsmere. Tom Boswell, Felix Adjei and Alan Kent, who collect rounds in Bushey, were put forward for the Collection Crew of the Year award by Hertsmere Borough Council's Glen Wooldrige, Director of Environment. The crew were nominated for the award due to their dedication and high level of service, safety records and additional factors such as where service goes beyond the normal level. Cllr Jean Heywood, portfolio holder for environment said: “I am delighted that the crew got through to the final rounds of the Collection Crew of the Year award – it is thoroughly deserved. “There are many factors that set this particular refuse and green waste crew apart, including them achieving a 45% rate of recycling, the highest amongst any of our collection crews and a low level of sickness. “Their knowledge of contaminated waste is excellent and has a clear impact on their recycling rate. As a result contamination levels on this round have decreased significantly in the last year and are now minimal due to their efforts. There is no doubt that driver Alan, and loaders Felix and Tom have gone beyond what is normally expected of a collection crew, pulling together to provide residents with a top class service. This indeed is evident in the praise they have received from both residents and colleagues alike.” The awards ceremony was held at the Millennium Mayfair Hotel in London on Thursday 16 October. The Awards for Excellence in recycling and waste management are organised by Letsrecycle.com and is in its fifth year. The awards attracted 400 entries from across the UK and while the crew did not win, they were presented with runners-up certificates. Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:17:37 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=191 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=190 New legislation, the Health and Safety Offences Act 2008, which will increase penalties and provide courts with greater sentencing powers for those who flout health and safety legislation has received the Royal assent and will come into force in three months time, in January 2009 The Act raises the maximum penalties that can be imposed for breaching health and safety regulations in the lower courts from £5,000 to £20,000 and the range of offences for which an individual can be imprisoned has also been broadened. For more go to: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2008/oct/hse106-161008.asp Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:05:38 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=190 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=189 Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:39:10 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=189 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=187 The parking service in Guildford has been given a national seal of approval following a recent inspection. Excellent customer service by Guildford Borough Council's team, which includes off-street car parks, has been recognised with a Charter Mark. Charter Mark is the Government's national standard for excellence in customer service. The assessment is based on six criteria including active engagement with customers, using resources effectively and imaginatively and contributing to improving the quality of life for local communities. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:29:40 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=187 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=186 Berneslai Homes and Barnsley Connects are holding a joint event next week in the Alhambra Shopping Centre to celebrate National Customer Service Week. Please see below for more information Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:25:49 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=186 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=185 The Welsh local government data unit report for 2007/08 shows performance had improved for 131 of the 183 indicators, fractionally less the level achieved the previous year. The Bulletin on council services showed that five per cent less rubbish is going to landfill and three per cent more is being recycled together with a 44% reduction in the number of homeless families with children living in bed and breakfast accommodation. Derek Vaughan (Lab), deputy leader of the Welsh Local Government Association said: "Despite growing public and national expectation, and an increasingly challenging financial climate, local government continues to deliver service improvements." He warned that improvement this year would be "a challenge given the below-inflation settlement and increasing energy and fuel costs". Local government minister Brian Gibbons congratulated councils but urged them to iron out stark differences in standards. Thu, 09 Oct 2008 19:21:17 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=185 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=184 Agreement has now been reached on the pay award for local authority craft and associated employees with effect from 1 April 2008. The Trade Union Side of the JNC has notified the employers that they have accepted the offer set out in the letter below dated 17 September. The joint pay circular is currently being drafted and will be issued to all local authorities and subscribers to LGE in due course. For the press release please go to: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:04:38 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=184 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=183 During 2007-08 WRAP provided funding to 19 local authorities to carry out trials of separate food waste collections. This report evaluates the performance of the trails and draws out key practical lessons for local authorities for the collection of food waste from householders. For details go to: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:03:40 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=183 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=182 Local Government Minister John Healey has today announced action to give councils the financial flexibility they need to speed up meeting their long-term commitments to achieving equal pay for staff. Mr. Healey gave the green light to 34 councils to raise £455m to meet equal pay liabilities, either by borrowing against or selling assets - known as capitalisation. For a list of the councils that will benefit, go to: Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:02:29 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=182 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=181 Councils could face fines totalling millions of pounds unless they deliver planned waste treatment facilities and keep up the pressure to reduce, reuse and recycle, according to an Audit Commission report published on 25 September 2008 Well disposed: responding to the waste challenge, says the UK can meet European Union Landfill Directive targets to reduce the amount of waste that gets dumped in landfill by 2013. It congratulates people and councils for their ongoing efforts to recycle and reduce the amount of waste produced in the first place. Recycling rates have quadrupled since 1999 and have dramatically reduced the amount of waste that ends up in the dump. But the Commission's report warns councils that they cannot rely solely on creating less waste and recycling more if the 2013 target is to be achieved. It says investment in waste disposal technologies that convert waste into energy or fuel will have the most significant impact on landfill reduction and that delays to the projects currently underway pose the greatest threat to achieving the target. For more go to: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/reports/NATIONAL-REPORT.asp?CategoryID=&ProdID=C0CDCBFE-24E0-494d-824D-F053A576661E&fromREPORTSANDDATA=NATIONAL-REPORT Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:00:34 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=181 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=180 Guildford Borough Council has hit gold in this year’s South East in Bloom competition, winning the top award in the City Centre category of the regional contest. The town was also named as best in category in the South East. Grounds maintenance services are provided by an in-house team. Tue, 23 Sep 2008 10:02:01 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=180 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=179 This page gives information on the results of the local environment quality surveys carried out by ENCAMS and provides links to regional results. If you haven’t seen your council’s results or wish to look at those of another area, go to the link below for the full picture Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:29:41 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=179 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=178 The Government has today announced approval of a new power station in Cheshire fuelled by waste. The proposed plant has capacity to potentially take waste from Manchester, Merseyside, Halton, Cheshire and Warrington which would otherwise have gone to landfill. For more go to: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:27:35 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=178 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=177 The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is seeking views on draft guidance for local authorities that wish to test schemes to cut household waste through financial incentives Please let PSnet Executive Director, Ossie Dodds have any comments by 7th November 2008 so a composite PSnet view can be prepared and submitted within the Defra timeframe. I would particularly like to hear form member organisations that are likely to be involved. For more go to the link below Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:06:25 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=177 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=176 The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published guidance which is intended for local authorities, parish councils and other bodies with powers to make dog control orders. It will also be relevant for those interested in seeking to introduce dog control orders, and for dog owners who may be affected by them. For more go to: http://www.info4local.gov.uk/documents/publications/965711 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:50:22 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=176 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=175 HSE has just released a research report into the results of trials carried out relating to the noise exposure of workers engaged in kerbside collection of glass for recycling. For more go to: http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr651.htm Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:44:58 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=175 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=174 CLG has just published a Consultation paper seeking views on the technical definitions of 13 deferred and revised indicators due for introduction in 2009. if you have any views that you would like PSnet to put to government, please advise Ossie Dodds, PSnet Executive Director by no later than 24th October 2008. Ossie can be contacted at Ossie@psnet.org.uk To access the consultation paper, go to: Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:23:31 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=174 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=172 A recycling and home composting rate of 60% looks set to become a reality by 2010 following the latest reports from Guildford Borough Council at this week’s Executive. “Recycling is high on everyone’s agenda,” says James Whiteman, Head of Operational Services. “Guildford Borough Council is committed to increasing recycling rates and the community are giving us great support. We’ve had a fantastic reaction to our ‘Recycling Works’ food waste collection trial, which we look forward to rolling out borough-wide starting in autumn 2009. In 2007/08 we’ve reached a recycling and home composting rate of 52.03%. So with the public’s help - we’re getting there”. New initiatives coming online over the past year have included the following. - Household battery collections from all households. - Mini recycling centres for new flats - meaning that 98% of households now receive a kerbside collection service. - The Recycling Works trial was introduced with a 63.5% recycling rate and 92% of residents wanting the trial to continue. - ‘Tetrapack’ drink and liquid food recycling banks were introduced at five bring bank centres. They have proved very popular and may be extended. - Two new bring bank sites were introduced in Onslow Village Hall and Stoughton. - A Ban the Bag campaign has also been launched by the borough’s community recyclers. Existing services for businesses have been extended from a customer base of 180 to just under 500 - collecting paper, cans, aerosols and plastic bottles weekly. The Council has also started a trial of glass collection from licensed premises in rural areas. In the future, ‘recycling on the go’ is set to become a part of daily life with new recycling facilities on the borough’s streets and other areas of high footfall. For more information on Recycling Works and other recycling information go to Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:46:15 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=172 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=171 LGA presses for companies that collect recyclates to be obliged to tell us where they send the materials to! For full details go to: http://www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=967750 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:44:08 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=171 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=169 Scottish government has just published a Consultation paper on possible (primary) legislative changes that might be needed to enable it to achieve Zero Waste. Follow the link to see the Consultation document: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/07/24155248/0 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:06:28 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=169 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=134 Leading law firm Lawrence Graham has teamed up with PSnet to offer a free legal helpline to member organisations. The firm, which has written authoritative brie?ngs to PSnet Members on a range of subjects from redundancy to discrimination in the workplace, has had an informal agreement with PSnet for some years. Now members can simply pick up the phone for a free half hour consultation with the top legal brains in their field. Members can call Head of Housing and Local Government, Simon Randall on 020 7759 6538 or Partner Joanna Bussell on 0207 759 6664. The service covers an initial consultation on any legal matter involved in the management and delivery of public sector services. This could include advice on powers and duties and the use of these powers and duties, advice on personnel related issues, including TUPE and pensions or other legal issues of a more general nature. In agreed situations it could include advice following the review of documentation sent to you by arrangement. If the matter can be resolved to the satisfaction of the PSnet member through that telephone call or contact in no more than 30 minutes, the consultation will be free of charge. Any advice or work beyond an initial approach or which will take more that 30 minutes will be chargeable on terms to be agreed, without PSnet being involved. PSnet is not a party to the seeking or giving of advice and is not in any way responsible or accountable for any consequences of following such advice. Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:45:44 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=134 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=120 CarbonFreeTV - the new dedicated online television channel for environmental issues - launches today with a selection of high-profile interviews from experts in the field, including: • Zac Goldsmith, former editor of the Ecologist magazine & Conservative candidate for Richmond Park • Joan Ruddock MP, minister for climate change • Paul Bettison, chairman of the LGA environment board • Greg Barker MP, shadow environment minister • John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace UK • Jonathon Porritt, chair of the Sustainable Development Commission • Robin Birley, founder of Envirotrade • Justine Greening MP, Conservative MP for Putney • John Stewart, chair of HACAN ClearSkies • Colin Challen, chair of the all-party parliamentary climate change group (APPCCG) Viewers can also watch an exclusive film about Heathrow expansion featuring veteran actor Richard Briers and another short film starring Eastenders actress Patsy Palmer. CarbonFreeTV’s aim is to assist in educating the UK population - residents, Councils, business and other public bodies - on global warming, and to how to address the challenges it poses. The channel will provide regular, easy-to-understand content on reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. All programming is free to view and immediately accessible at any place, and at any time. CarbonFreeTV will produce a unique combination of programming, including: • Reliable and independent perspectives from leading experts • News on new solutions for homes and businesses • Information on energy conservation and efficiency, alternative power generation, renewables and microgeneration • Special features on reducing CO2 emissions in homes, businesses, schools and large organisations • Case study examples of best practice from around the country. It will act as an information resource for the UK population If you would be interested in streaming CarbonFreeTV to your own website, for the annual subscriber fee of £1,500, please contact executive producer Dominic Moran (tel: 0207 351 0123/ email: dm@gb.tv). This will allow you to present a continuous stream of high-impact information, designed to ignite a response and encourage action among residents and business. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 19:54:34 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=120 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=109 WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has produced new guidance “Improving Low Participation Areas (LPAs)- Effective Communications Planning” which includes detailed questions that help local authorities to identify LPAs and to understand how to enable residents in these areas to recycle more. For more information click below Wed, 28 May 2008 08:50:44 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=109 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=108 England has nearly met the 2010 Landfill Directive target for biodegradable municipal waste, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). In its departmental report 2008, Defra said this achievement was a real highlight. More than 86 million tonnes of recycling will be diverted from disposal over the lifetime of the Waste & Resources Action Programme projects already commissioned, saving over 12 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. To see the report go to more information Wed, 28 May 2008 08:48:10 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=108 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=93 “A recently published report by the Front Office Shared Services Project sets out a number of research conclusions relating to shared services in the sector. The project is a joint Local Government Association (LGA), Communities and Local Government, the Cabinet Office and the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) activity which came together in the autumn of 2006 and has continued since with a variety of outcomes. The report 'Delivering public service transformation 2008' shows council progress towards developing a joined up single point of contacts for local public service users. Details of the overall project are available at http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=6440077 and a copy of the recent report is available at http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/8286943” Sun, 11 May 2008 19:28:31 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=93 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=89 This review proposes deepening and intensifying public sector reform, in particular increasing the role of the private sector in the delivery of core public services and transferring non-core services to the private sector in order to help stimulate its growth. Click more details for a direct link to the webpage Thu, 08 May 2008 21:41:37 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=89 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=82 A free trial starts today to provide small and medium sized businesses with access to thousands of public sector contract opportunities. From 1 May until 31 July 2008, the http://www.supply2.gov.uk website will allow new registrants to gain free access to public sector contracts valued under £100,000 for the UK and Northern Ireland. The free trial is part of the Department for Business' Enterprise Strategy which was released in March, which outlined new measures to increase the amount of government business that is won by small firms. To read the full press release open the document link below Thu, 01 May 2008 20:34:50 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=82 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=75 Look up the Key Lines of Inquiry, used by the Commissions Inspection Teams when they look at your services. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:17:44 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=75 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=74 Look up your Council or look at the latest Value for money profile tool. Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:09:13 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=74 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=73 See the latest information on Comprehensive Performance Assessment Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:05:31 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=73 http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=60 News that the Government is thinking again about the 'pay as you throw' charge for household waste seems to be under question again. Ossie Dodds PSnet Executive Director comments; "Council's need to know where the Government stands on this issue. With the costs of landfill going through the roof we need to find practical ways of reducing household waste. Charging is a blunt instrument and many PSnet members are concerned that it will drive up fly tipping and all of the problems that come with it will offset any potential landfill savings" The Government are considering a range of options including financial incentives for communities to take action to reduce household waste Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:26:55 GMT http://psnet.save9.net/news.php?id=60