A study examined how far the economic and social aspects of regeneration were being effectively linked, and the extent to which political devolution in Scotland, Wales, and London was bringing greater strategic attention to the needs of deprived areas. New and emerging governance structures needed a more integrated approach to tackling worklessness and other economic problems facing deprived areas.
Source: David North, Stephen Syrett and David Etherington, Devolution and Regional Governance: Tackling the economic needs of deprived areas, York Publishing Services for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, available from York Publishing Services Ltd (01904 430033)
Links: Report | JRF Findings | JRF press release
Date: 2007-Oct
A think-tank report said that the approach by Welsh local government to citizen interaction in public services was a strong model for the rest of the United Kingdom.
Source: Anthony Brand, Devolution and Divergence: Comparing English and Welsh approaches to citizen-centred public service delivery, New Local Government Network (020 7357 0051)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Mar
A partnership agreement was reached between the Welsh Assembly Government, public service employers, and trade unions, setting out principles for managing changes in the way that public services were delivered across Wales. It included an agenda for workforce engagement and learning, career development, equality, and staff well-being.
Source: Partnership and Managing Change: A partnership agreement for public services in Wales, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Agreement | WLGA press release
Date: 2007-Mar
An audit report said that there had been improvements in risk assessments of local services in Wales in 2005-06, and improvements in the way councils managed themselves. But most councils admitted they were unlikely to reach the Welsh housing quality standard by 2012 on existing levels of funding.
Source: Wales Programme for Improvement: Annual Report 2005/2006, Wales Audit Office (029 2026 0260)
Links: Report | WAO press release | Regeneration & Renewal report
Date: 2007-Mar
The Welsh Assembly government published a policy statement setting out what it expected of local authorities and the support it could provide in return. The aim was to help develop a new approach to local governance for public service delivery, in the form of local service boards and local service agreements - and in particular to promote strong joint working between local government and the National Health Service.
Source: A Shared Responsibility: Local government's contribution to improving people's lives, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: Links removed from WAG website
Date: 2007-Mar
A report examined the distinctive characteristics of small and market towns in rural Wales, compared with larger urban and rural areas within the region; and explored the social and economic interactions between small towns and their neighbouring communities.
Source: Small and Market Towns in Rural Wales and Their Hinterlands, Wales Rural Observatory (029 20 874970)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Mar
