10 October 2008
Welsh Local Government Minister Brian Gibbons has welcomed the publication of data showing how the quality of local authority services in Wales improved in 2007/08. The Bulletin, published by the Local Government Data Unit, shows that while the standard of most local government services is improving, there is still work to be done to close the wide range of performance between local authorities. Gibbons said: 'Local authorities have made good progress in a number of key areas, including 5% less rubbish going to landfill and 3% more being recycled, fewer children leaving school without a qualification and more vulnerable adults receiving help to live in their own homes.' The figures also showed the first improvement in secondary school attendance for several years, he added.
Obesity could cost primary care trusts as much as £6.3bn by 2015 unless the problem is addressed, the Department of Health has warned. Guidance, made available to trusts and local authorities and published on October 6, said that the estimated bill in 2007 for dealing with diseases related to obesity was £4.2bn. Public health minister Dawn Primarolo said: 'Obesity is the biggest health challenge we face — every year 9,000 people die prematurely. And many people simply just don't know that being overweight can lead to major health problems, including heart disease and cancer.'
The public faces barriers in trying to influence local decision-making, including confusion about which decisions are taken at council level and suspicion about 'lip-service' paid to consultation, according to government research. The research, Feeling able to influence local decision-making, was carried out by the National Centre for Social Research for the Department for Communities and Local Government, using analysis of existing data and focus groups with members of the public and groups of local strategic partnership members. The report recommended that local authorities be 'clear and transparent about the level of influence available' and transparent in feedback. 'People felt that transparency of this kind was either lacking from local authorities or they were instead given only “good news”.'
Welsh Housing Minister Jane Davidson has told local authority representatives that working together to alleviate the effects of fuel poverty was essential in the current economic climate. Speaking at a fuel poverty conference in Cardiff on October 2, she said: 'It is crucial that local authorities see the benefits of linking affordable warmth with their responsibilities for housing, energy efficiency, the environment, social services, health and other service areas. Saying this is a challenging time is an understatement.' She urged local authorities to use a wide-ranging strategy. 'We need to fight fuel poverty on three fronts — making homes more energy-efficient, maximising income and getting the best fuel prices for vulnerable households.'
Older people in Scotland are 25% more in debt than four years ago, according to a survey from Citizens Advice Scotland. The research, published on October 6, found that household bills, such as council tax and utility bills, created the most anxiety for older people and that they were using credit to pay them. The study of over-60s who sought help from CAS found more than a quarter had debts exceeding £25,000. CAS chief executive Kaliani Lyle said: 'Debt can become a source of real stress for people who can't see a way out. That's why we want the Scottish Government to ensure that the measures to deal with debt, such as Debt Arrangement Schemes or the Low Income Low Asset regulations, are accessible and beneficial for older clients.'
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