Public Services News Archive

This is a complete archive of all of AWICS Public Service Newsletters we have published.

January 2010

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Queens Speech    Page Title
• Training and Development - Part of an Effective Business Plan
• Local Authority Capital Finance
• AWICS Regional Seminars 2010
• Other Services

September 2009

This month’s edition features articles on:

• The CIPFA Manifesto – ‘Better Ideas, Better Public Services’
• Scottish Labour Party considers reintroducing domestic rates
• The Government Response to the Taylor Review of Rural Economy and Affordable Housing
• Free School Meals Trialled
• Upcoming Regional Seminars
• Other Services

August 2009

This month’s edition features articles on:

• AWICS Publishes Annual Report for 2008/09
• Learning and Skills Council – Enhancement Fund
• Heart of Eden Community Plan, Murton Parish Survey
• Rise of the Ethical Dentist
• Upcoming Regional Seminars
• Other Services

June / July 2009

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Budget Report 2009
• National Council of Institute of Public Sector Management Meets at Penrith Rural Foyer
• Adrian Waite secures 30% of votes in election to CIPFA National Council
• The Government’s household projections and their application
• Northwest Housing Forum
• Comparison of Social Housing Systems
• Healey announces radical dismantling of council housing finance
• Upcoming Regional Seminars
• Other Services from AWICS

May 2009

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Rural Evidence and Policy – Northwest Priorities
• European Social Fund (ESF)
• Extra Investement in Scottish Council Housing
• Conservative Party announces Housing Policy
• Associate Opportunities
• Regional Seminars
• Other Services from AWICS

April 2009

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Working Together - Public Services On Your Side
• Public Sector Net Cash Requirement and Investment in Housing
• Local Authority Housing Finance in Scotland
• More Freedom to Increase Council House Building
• Adrian Waite joins Board of Impact Housing Association
• Other Services from AWICS

March 2009

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Government Revises Guideline Rents
• Scottish Housing Regulator issues report on Dundee City Council
• The Future of Supporting People
• Integration of a Web-based Performance Management Framework
• AWICS Publish new In-House Courses Booklet
• Other Services from AWICS

February 2009

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Local Demoracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2008
• Public Services and the Recession
• Small Housing Association Development Stalled?
• Homes and Communities Agency - Launched
• Local Government Finance Settlement 2009-10
• New Look for AWICS Website
• AWICS signs Skills Pledge
• Upcoming Regional Seminars & Other Services from AWICS

December 2008

This month’s edition features articles on:

• AWICS Annual Report for 2007/08 issued
• Institute of Public Sector Management to Promote Joined up Government and Good Practice with
• Adrian Waite as President
• Implications of the Queen’s Speech for Public Services
• Welsh Local Government
• Regional Spatial Strategy – The North West Plan
• Housing Subsidy Determinations 2009/10 and 2010/11
• Information Technology in the Public Sector

October 2008

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Budgets and Financial Management are like fresh air, exercise and a healthy diet
• Is Regionalisation of Council Housing an Option?
• Scottish Housing Regulator appoints Adrian Waite as an Associate Inspector
• Welsh Housing Associations build Homes and Communities
• Welsh Local Government gains additional funding
• Campaign to Protect Rural England appoints Adrian Waite as an Expert Advisor
• Institute of Public Sector Management negotiates a good deal on Training
• Independent Tenants’ Advisors should be Accountants say CIPFA
• European Parliament and Homelessness

June 2008

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Adrian Waite joins government review of Housing Revenue Account
• Integration of a Web-based Performance Management Framework
• Babergh District Council disposes of old Council Houses
• Homes and Communities Agency
• Housing Association Grant in Scotland
• AWICS Value for Money Strategy
• What do People say about our Courses
• Services offered by ‘AWICS’

April 2008

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Housing Association Finance
• Government to Review Housing Revenue Account System
• Achieving Efficiencies and Value for Money in theory and in Copeland
• Scottish Local Authority Housing Finance
• National Awards for Local Government 2008: Congratulations to Fenland and Warrington
• IPSM Negotiates Discounts for its Members
• Services offered by ‘AWICS’

Febuary 2008

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Housing Revenue Account Subsidy Determination for England 2008/09
• One Wales
• Value for Money and Procurement
• National Affordable Housing Programme
• Local Government Finance Settlement 2008/09
• A Model for Project Management in Small Voluntary Organisations
• Services offered by ‘AWICS’

December 2007

This month’s edition features articles on:

• ‘AWICS’ Annual Report for 2006/07 published
• Developments in Social Housing Finance in Scotland
• The Housing Subsidy system in England
• The Economy and Public Services
• Community Interest Companies
• Adrian Waite elected Vice President of Institute of Public Sector Management; Stephen Harriott joins ‘AWICS’ as an Associate Consultant; Services offered by ‘AWICS’

September & October 2007

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Local Government White Paper
• Housing Green Paper
• Local Authorities, Arms Length Management Organisations and New Build
• Comprehensive Spending Review 2007
• Local Area Agreements and Local Strategic Partnerships
• Advertisement - Institute of Public Sector Management
• Services on Offer; ‘AWICS’ announces programme of regional seminars for 2007/08; Opportunities with ‘AWICS’

July 2007

This month’s edition features articles on:

• The Brown Government’s Agenda – It’s now Education, Health and Housing!
• More details emerge on Councils leaving the housing subsidy system
• Arms Length Management Organisations – Freedoms, Flexibilities and the Future
• How does Dedicated Schools Grant work
• Local Area Agreements
• Scotland’s new policy agenda
• Cumbria County Council’s procurement policies include social responsibility and working with voluntary bodies
• Services on Offer; ‘AWICS’ announces programme of regional seminars for 2007/08; Opportunities with ‘AWICS’

June 2007

This month’s edition features articles on:

• What is Ethical Management?
• The Lyons Report on Local Authority Finance
• All You Want to Know about Local Authority Finance
• Adrian Waite elected to Council of Institute of Public Sector Management
• Arms Length Management Organisations and Reform of the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy System
• Community Interest Companies
• Fenland’s Foyer Project carries of prestigious design award
• ‘AWICS’ publishes wide range of guides to public sector finances; Services on Offer

January 2007

This month’s edition features articles on:

• All You Want to Know about Local Authority Housing Finance
• Local Government Finance Settlement 2007/08
• Scotland: The future for Local Authority Housing
• Fenland Tenants vote for Stock Transfer
• ‘AWICS’ publishes Annual Report 2005/06
• All You Want to Know about Housing Association Finance
• National Council of Voluntary Organisations accredits ‘AWICS’ as consultancy for voluntary sector
• ‘AWICS’ launches Euro-website; Forthcoming Training Courses; Services on offer

August & September 2006

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Challenges in creating Sustainable Housing Business Plans that fulfil the Efficiency Agenda
• AWICS seminars on Sustainable Housing Business Plans and the Efficiency Agenda still have places available
• How should Councils address the National Procurement Strategy?
• Fenland creates ‘Roddons Housing Association’
• Eden District Council thinks again about Penrith Museum
• Housing Association Finance
• Local Government Finance
• The Capital Receipts Pooling Allowance – a view from the Ministry
• Full funding in place for the Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa Project

June 2006

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Derby City Homes awarded three stars and assessed as having excellent prospects for further improvement
• AWICS seminar on Sustainable Housing Business Plans and the Efficiency Agenda to feature Derby City Homes
• Fenland chooses Housing Association partner
• Fenland receive commendation for high levels of improvement in audit report
• European Charter for Housing issued
• The Capital Receipts Pooling Allowance and how it works
• Government Office Southwest makes progress
• Adrian Waite to speak at CIPFA conferences
• Cumbria, Dorset, Portsmouth & Tower Hamlets Councils pioneer partnerships with voluntary sector
• Services on offer

May 2006

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Sustainable Housing Business Plans and the Efficiency Agenda
• The implications of European Monetary Union for Public Services
• Fenland makes progress towards stock transfer – we profile the prospective partner housing associations
• Training Opportunities
• Adrian Waite to speak at CIPFA conference on Housing Finance
• Adrian Waite to speak at CIPFA seminars on SORP and Best Value Accounting Code of Practice
• What can Councils do if they fail to get on this year’s Arms Length Management or Stock Transfer programmes? Letter from Reader
• High Peak Borough Council engages with the community
• Southwark pioneers New Social Homebuy Product
• Services on Offer

April 2006

This month’s edition features articles on:

• All You Want to Know about Local Authority Housing Finance
• April is information and consultation month for Fenland tenants
• Adrian Waite to speak at CIPFA conference: Introduction to Housing Finance – Methods of Managing Housing
• Stock - 29th June 2006
• Additional Money To Help Regenerate Run Down Estates
• Residents Helping To Shape Future For South Bank
• Community Interest Companies
• Demands For Housing In The Midlands and North Increasing
• Housing Corporation: Funding and decision making processes
• Reforms to Council Tax could create a ‘Wealth Tax’
• ‘The Start of Something Special’ as Tenants Vote Overwhelmingly in Favour of transfer at Halton
• AWICS Supports Young Enterprise Scheme - Backdoor Promotions
• Services on Offer

March 2006

This month’s edition features articles on:

• All You Want To Know About Local Authority Housing Finance
• AWICS releases publication on ‘Local Authority Housing Finance’
• Current state of Council Housing Finance
• £538 million future funding for arms length management organisations
• Fenland District Council progresses towards a stock transfer
• Pre-Budget Report and Local Government Financial Settlement
• Redcar and Cleveland will not let budget pressures stop their progress
• Planning Gain Supplements
• Proposed changes to Delivery of Local Authority Freedoms and Flexibility
• SORP affecting Group Accounts in Local Authorities

January 2006

This month’s edition features articles on:

• All You Want To Know About Local Authority Housing Finance
• AWICS Re-appointed as Independent Tenants’ Advisors in Fenland
• AWICS Annual Report for 2004/2005 published
• Decisions on Arms Length Management Organisations Delayed
• Government sets levels of housing subsidy for next two years
• European Union Ministers strike a deal for sustainable communities
• Project Management – Some Simplified Ideas
• Redcar & Cleveland Council in plea to government for air ambulance funding
• One in ten households in London waiting for a Council House
• Heritage and Development Management at Garrison Side, Hull

June 2005

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Election 2005 – Implications for Public Services
• Local Government Funding Review
• Tenant Empowerment in Fenland
• AWICS designs software for managing tenant consultation
• All You Ever Wanted to know about Local Authority Housing Finance
• The fourth option and Tower Hamlets
• The Future of Arms Length Management Organisations
• Voluntary and Community Organisations to take ‘Cleaner, Safer, Greener’ Initiatives
• Small Business Friendly Concordat; Government gives help to flood hit areas of Cumbria

Spring 2005

This edition features articles on:

• Budget 2005 – What does it mean for public services?
• Financial Evaluation of Options Appraisal Submissions
• Empowering tenants in Fenland
• Consultancy Support for Voluntary Organisations
• Change, Project Management & Managing Conflict in Voluntary Bodies
• Economic Regeneration – Fenland & Waveney
• Prudential Borrowing in practice
• Congratulations to our clients – Halton and Hammersmith & Fulham
• AWICS to host regeneration conference

November & December 2004

This month’s edition features articles on:

• The Government’s Vision for Housing and the ‘Fourth Way’
• Business Planning in Social Housing
• Focus on Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation
• Update on Housing Stock Options Appraisals
• Arms Length Management Organisations Update
• Kingston becomes first Business Improvement District
• AWICS to hold housing and regeneration conference in September 2005

September & October 2004

This month’s edition features articles on:

• AWICS launches new website
• Comprehensive Spending Review 2004
• Rent Restructuring Review
• Independent Tenants’ Advice in Action
• How to reverse economic decline in rural areas – a case study in Cumbria
• New European Education, Training and Youth Programmes
• Redcar & Cleveland pioneer Citizens’ Panel
• AWICS to hold housing and regeneration conference in September 2005
• Adrian Waite to speak at CIPFA conference

June & July 2004

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Fenland Tenants’ Forum appoints ‘AWICS’ as Independent Tenants’ Advisors
• Annual Report for 2003/2004 published
• New Framework for the Review of Housing Inspection
• Enlargement of the European Union and Public Administration
• Capacity Building with Financial Skills
• Points of View
• Congratulations to ‘AWICS’ customers
• Services on offer!

April & May 2004

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Refuse Collection – how to minimise waste & recycle more
• Direct Service Organisations – reorganising for Best Value
• Highways – partnerships with private contractors
• Prudential Borrowing – local authorities start to use new powers
• Registered Social Landlords – improving governance
• Can the National Trust solve the affordable housing crisis?
• Voluntary bodies – how to achieve sustainable funding
• Training Courses on offer!

March 2004

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Council Tax and Local Income Tax
• Local Government Act 2003 and Prudential Borrowing
• Information Technology: What is E-government
• Good practice in E-Government
• Community Websites – growing phenomena
• Internet transactions in Revenues & Benefits
• Redcar & Cleveland Council’s pride at first fair deal for town hall workers
• Training Courses on offer: Seeking Sustainable Funding
• Housing Finance
• CIPFA Accounting Conference

January & Febuary 2004

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Public Service Delivery – Getting better or worse?
• Is it possible to avoid pooling of capital receipts?
• Balance of Funding Review
• Local Government Finance Settlement
• Local Government and the Euro
• Cuts in the Archives services
• Generating Revenue through Entrepreneurship
• Training Courses on offer!
• Points of View
• Feedback

November & December 2003

This month’s edition features articles on:

• Stock Options
• Large Scale Voluntary Transfer – the most recent consultation paper
• Arms Length Management Organisations
• Independent Tenant Advisors
• Supporting People – are the costs out of control?
• Meet the Consultants – Peter Sutcliffe
• Points of View
• Feedback
  

October 2003

This month’s edition features articles on:

• The Role of Local Authorities in Regenerating the Community Economy
• Sustainable Development in Rural Areas
• Listing Historic Buildings
• Derelict Land Tax
• Community Interest Companies
• Meet the Consultants – Ray Walker
• Points of View
• Feedback

September 2003

This month’s edition features articles on

• Social Services Green Paper – the end of Social Services as we know it?
• Comprehensive Performance Assessments First Results – what can we learn from them?
• Management and Maintenance Allowances – a major redistribution of housing resources!
• Business Planning, Best Value and Business Reviews
• Letters
• Feedback