Information Technology
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February 1998
Investment Sites Database
A one-stop shop database, offering the latest information on quality investment sites readily available for development, was launched by Regeneration Minister, Richard Caborn. Launching English Partnerships' Strategic Sites Database at the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in London, Mr Caborn commented that it would give England a competitive edge in attracting potential inward investors.
The aim of the database was to bring together in one place all of the best sites in the English regions, which are readily available for development - many of which are in areas of economic and social need. The database would enable potential investors to quickly identify sites matching their particular requirements.
The strategic sites database is available on the Internet at www.englishpartnerships.co.uk.
Information Note
English Partnerships is the Government's urban regeneration agency, which has a brief to regenerate derelict, vacant and under-used land and buildings in partnership with public, private and voluntary sector organisations - with the aim of transforming areas of need into quality places for people to live and work.
May 1998
DETR Web Site
The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions launched a new web site, providing details of current Government housing policy and also including Housing Signpost, which gives regular information on research affecting a wide range of housing-related issues.
The web site can be accessed on www.detr.gov.uk .
November 1998
Millennium Bug Causes Concern
A new report from the Audit Commission said that many local authorities had made significant progress in preparing for the problems of the year 2000, but a small number were falling further behind in preparing contingency plans to ensure that services would not be affected by the millennium bug.
The report provided a review of preparations for the year 2000 problem and it assessed progress made by local authorities (and other public bodies) as at the end of September 1998. Within local government:
This posed potential risks to the key public services for which they were responsible, such as housing, environmental health and the payment of Benefits.
The report also found that:
The report further highlighted the need to take urgent action to prepare plans for a response if things go wrong. Two-fifths of councils had yet to commence their contingency planning process. Advice and guidance on a contingency planning process is provided within the report.
Time Marches On: Facing the Challenge of the Year 2000 Date Change: £15: Audit Commission: Tel. 0800 502030.
July 1999
Local Authorities’ 2000
Planning
Local authorities have made significant progress in preparing for the Year 2000 date change, according to a new report from the Audit Commission, published to coincide with the meeting of the National Infrastructure Forum.
The report is the third on this subject produced by the Commission. It covers the progress that is being made and provides an assessment of the approach being adopted by all local authorities. Using evidence collected by auditors in the six months to May 1999, the report found that:
The report also highlights 43 local authorities that are organising their approach to the Year 2000 in line with good practice and are, therefore, considered by the Commission to be preparing well. Nine district councils are identified as not applying the best practice in their preparations.
The report identifies key improvements made by local authorities, which include:
A Stitch In Time: Time Waits For No One: Audit Commission
July 1999
RSLs’ Year 2000 Preparations
The Housing Corporation completed a survey of the progress made by registered social landlords (RSLs) in planning for Year 2000 compliance. The Corporation was appointed as the responsible body for RSLs and submitted its interim report on the preparedness of the sector to deal with the millennium bug to the National Infrastructure Forum.
In all, 440 RSLs were surveyed, covering both the larger associations (owning 90% of the housing stock) and many smaller special needs providers. Of those who had responded, over 77% had completed an appraisal of the risks associated with the millennium bug and over 65% had a strategy to deal with the risks identified.
The majority of RSLs surveyed appeared to be taking Year 2000 compliance seriously. However, there were some who had not done as much as they should have and Housing Corporation staff were investigating those who appeared to be behind with their preparations.
The survey was one of a number of measures that the Corporation took to ensure the sector was ready for the millennium system changes. It drew attention to the good practice document issued by the National Housing Federation - Year 2000 Contingency Planning.
July 1999
New Planning Web Site
The Planning Officers' Society launched a new web site, designed to give advice on planning and Best Value. The advice, prepared with funding from the DETR, takes the form of a good practice guide with chapters on such topics as performance indicators, consulting the local community and audit & inspection arrangements.
Four documents were to be found on the web site:
Further draft chapters were to be added to the web site and it was expected that the full good practice guide would be issued early in 2000.
The address of the new web site is: http://www.barnsley.gov.uk/planning/home.html.
August 1999
Housing Corporation Website
The Housing Corporation's new website is now on-line and it can be accessed at www.housingcorp.gov.uk.
The upgraded site provides extended facilities, including access to the Corporation's publications, with on-line purchase facilities. Publications on which information can be accessed on the site include Corporation press releases, its news and document libraries, Circulars, subscriptions and consultation papers.
The site also has separate pages dedicated to provide information for home-seekers and tenants, as well as for registered social landlords. In addition to providing general information about the Housing Corporation, a number of useful links to other social housing sites are provided.
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