The Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) is to undertake a review of local government standards during 2017/18. In its Annual Report and Forward Plan 2017/18, published this week, the watchdog said it “maintains a longstanding interest in local government standards, and regularly receives correspondence from members of the public expressing their concern about this…
Aggravated damages have been awarded against the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman over its treatment of an applicant. Leeds County Court awarded claimant Jeanine Blamires £7,500 for discrimination, £2,500 for data protection breaches and £2,500 for aggravated damages over the way the ombudsman service handled her case. Ms Blamires has a disability but systems…
As local authorities continue to face pressures on their budgets, some may try to cut costs by reducing services to provide only those which they have an absolute legal obligation to provide. However, it requires careful thought to establish exactly which services are essential and the extent of service provision which is required. And is…
Fewer than half of revamped council websites pass usability test, digital experts find. Socitm’s Better Connected survey assessed 91 council websites which were re-designed between April 2016 and March 2017. Fewer than half achieved a pass mark. The analysis focused on two tests: the usability of the site when accessed from a mobile device, and…
It’s been 6 years since the Welsh hills first came alive with the sound of Classic Rock. And like the towering, solid piece of stone it’s perched on, the Steelhouse Festival stands resolute – a seemingly immovable object on the festival landscape. Steelhouse 2016 looks set to be the biggest and best yet with rock…
South Wales Fire and Rescue Service says “Think Safe, Cook Safe” after stats reveal more than 50% of residential fires are caused by cooking South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) is encouraging local communities to “Think Safe, Cook Safe” after attending more than 2,000 accidental dwelling fires (ADFs) in the last three years. Service figures show…
As Britain’s leading pressure-group for open spaces, we say that today’s launch of a new ‘comprehensive map of greenspaces’(1) fails to deliver the Government’s commitment to map ‘all open-access green space’. The Ordnance Survey has announced the publication of a database of greenspaces in Great Britain. The database is offered via a mapping tool online,…
Hafod Housing have been working with RNIB Cymru to gain Visibly Better accreditation. The Visibly Better scheme offers a wide range of workshops that are designed to support and develop inclusive design in homes and public buildings for ageing eyes and people with sight loss. Hafod own and manage over 4,500 homes across south…
Ahead of the Cross Party Group on Vision on Tuesday, RNIB Cymru are welcoming the Cabinet Secretary’s assurances, but are still concerned that ophthalmology services across Wales remain inconsistent and leave many facing severe delays. With clinical audits showing that 90 per cent of follow up patients are at risk of irreversible harm to their…
The Wales Financial Capability Week will be taking place from 13th to 17th November 2017. Working together, organisations such as the Welsh Government, Older People’s Commissioner’s Office, Wales Cooperative Centre, Credit Unions across Wales, Citizens Advice Cymru and the Money Advice Service are organising events across Wales to encourage people to talk about money, under…
