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Nottingham City Council
Policy Digest
dDdbriefing
Issue 75: February 2014
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Introduction
Welcome to Issue 75 of the monthly Policy Digest. This Digest covers national policy developments
of interest to the Local Government sector.
Policy Alerts
Since the previous edition we have published a Policy Alert on the Offender Rehabilitation Bill
2013/14 & Probation Reforms on Nottingham Insight.
Local News
Nottinghamshire - Local Alcohol Action Area
The Home Office has announced that Nottinghamshire will be one of twenty Local Alcohol Action
Areas across the UK. Each area will benefit from advice and support from both the Government and
the alcohol industry to help reduce alcohol related crime and disorder, alcohol related harm and
promote growth within the night-time economy.
Council Tax Support Scheme (CTSS) 2014/15
Nottingham City Council will adopt a new CTSS for 2014/15 from April 2014. Following consultation,
the Scheme for 2014/15 puts a maximum limit of 80% on the amount of council tax support that can
be paid to all working age people, so these households will pay at least 20% of their Council Tax
bill. Last year the Council's scheme gave help with up to 91.5% by using a one-off grant from the
Government and finding an extra £1million from council funds. Unfortunately, further Government
cuts mean that the Council cannot run such a generous scheme in the coming financial year.
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) allocation 2014/15
Nottingham City Council has been allocated £965,532 funding for DHPs in 2014/15. Government
guidance recommends that DHPs should be targeted at the most vulnerable tenants affected by
some of the key welfare reforms. Nottingham City Council have a DHP policy in place which takes
account of this guidance.
Near Neighbours Funding
The Government has announced a £3 million extension of the Near Neighbours Programme to nine
more areas, including Nottingham. The programme provides small grants to community groups in
areas of significant religious diversity to help run projects which will bring together people of
different faiths to improve their neighbourhoods.
NATIONAL POLICY NEWS
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Crime & Justice
Economy & Business
Education & Children
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Energy & Climate Change
Health & Adult Social Care
Housing & Planning
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Local Government
Transport
Welfare
Note: This policy alert is for information only and does not constitute official Nottingham City Council policy
Crime & Justice
Female Genital Mutilation
All NHS Acute Hospitals in England from September 2014 will be obliged to send information to the
Department of Health (DfH) on all patients who have been victims of female genital mutilation
(FGM). Hospitals will also be required to record any historic evidence of FGM within families and
any incidences of FGM-related procedures. For more information click here.
LGA Calls for Licensing Reform
The Local Government Association (LGA) has published a paper calling for reforms within licensing.
The report entitled Re-wiring Public Services – Licensing calls for a comprehensive review of
licensing legislation, the devolution of licence fee setting to local authorities and the introduction of a
Public Health licensing objective.
New Regulations for Bailiffs
From April 2014, all civil enforcement officers will be required to follow a new set of regulations
designed to ensure better practice within the industry. The new regulations will revise the existing
fee structure, put in place new mandatory training and certification requirements and impose new
rules on how bailiffs can pursue debts.
Economy & Business
Business Rates and Business Rates Relief
The Government has published guidance for local authorities in England about the operation and
delivery of Business Rate relief for retail businesses. The Government has also published the
Terms of Reference for its review of the administration of business rates. This looks to begin the
reform of the administration of business rates post-2017.
Bank of England’s Forecasts for the Economy raised as interest rates held
The BoE expects the economy to grow by 3.4% in 2014, compared with its previous forecast of
2.8%. Changes in interest rates have been linked to a wider basket of indicators than the previous
‘forward guidance’ link solely to unemployment levels.
Quick Links
 The Institute of Public Policy Research have published an industrial strategy for the creative
industries. The report outlines how a more co-ordinated approach could help fulfil the UK’s
potential as a world leader in creative content.
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Richard Holt of Capital Economics has said as much as £13.8bn could be knocked off the value
of the economy if at-risk flood areas suffer a month’s loss of output – effectively reducing GDP
by just over 1%.
The Low Pay Commission has recommended a rise of 3% in the adult minimum wage – to £6.50
per hour.
The second estimate of 2013’s final quarter GDP confirmed growth in that quarter as 0.7%, but
modified 2013’s overall growth figure down slightly from 1.9% to 1.8%.
Education & Children
Maths in further education
Up to £20 million will be made available to encourage graduates to teach maths in further education
colleges. The funding will be channeled in 3 ways:
1. A golden hello; a bonus of £7,500 for graduates teaching maths in further education
Note: This policy alert is for information only, and does not constitute official Nottingham City Council policy
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2. A recruitment incentive scheme; a bonus payment of £20,000 to colleges and training providers
who recruit a specialist graduate maths teacher and;
3. A Subject Knowledge Enhancement scheme; to enable highly qualified graduates to develop
specific maths skills.
Quick links
 Updated Government guidelines have been issued to schools regarding the development of
school behaviour policies and explains the powers staff have to discipline pupils.
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The Future Scholar Award scheme is now available to year 9 pupils in all state funded schools
in England. Nominated pupils can attend taster lectures or seminars at a Russell Group
University.
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Sir Martin Narey publishes his report Making the education of social workers consistently
effective. The report advises on the extent to which recent reforms years have impacted on
basic training and whether improvements are still needed to be made. It makes 18
recommendations. The Government has published a response.
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The 23rd Report of the School Teachers’ Review Body has been published. Its
recommendations cover issues including leadership pay; allowances; provisions relating to
safeguarding; and teachers’ non-pay terms and conditions.
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£500,000 of new funding is available to train teachers in software coding. The Year of Code
training campaign coincides with the new computing curriculum beginning in September 2014.
Energy & Climate Change
Storms and Floods in the UK
The Met Office has published a report looking at whether climate change has been a contributing
factor in the recent series of storms to hit the UK.
Energy from Waste guide
The Department Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published an updated guide to inform
discussions and decisions relating to energy from waste. It highlights key environmental, technical
and economic issues and aims to raise the level of understanding and debate around energy from
waste. It identifies options that could be considered and discusses the future direction of policy.
Smart Grid vision and route-map
The Smart Grid Forum has published its vision and route-map which sets out the benefits that smart
grids will bring, such as minimising consumer bills; allowing consumers to play a more active role in
managing the energy system; increasing energy security; helping to facilitate the integration of low
carbon technologies; and supporting economic growth. The smart grid is a modernised electricity
grid that uses information and communications technology to monitor and actively control power
generation and demand in near real-time, which provides a more reliable and cost effective system
for transporting electricity from generators to homes, business and industry.
Health & Adult Social Care
Children’s Public Health Commissioning
The Government has announced that the responsibility for children's public health commissioning
for 0-5 year olds will transfer from NHS England to local authorities on 1 October 2015. This will
mark the final part of the public health transfer.
Note: This policy alert is for information only, and does not constitute official Nottingham City Council policy
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The NHS is not meeting the “Nicholson Challenge”
The Health Select Committee’s annual inquiry into public expenditure on health and social care
concluded that the health and care system needs fundamental change if it is to meet the needs of
patients. The Nicholson Challenge requires the health and care system to deliver fundamental
change so that services are joined up and focused on the needs of patients. The inquiry found that
while many of the straightforward savings have been made, they have not seen the transformation
of care on the scale which is needed to meet demand and improve care quality. The Committee
also reiterated its recommendation that the current level of real terms funding for social care should
be ring-fenced.
Think tank Demos reports on the impact of the Care Bill and how to encourage people to
consider their future care costs
The report Unlocking the Potential examines how likely the Government is to succeed in fostering a
new market in long-term care products and explores additional policy measures to facilitate more
forward planning. The report suggests the Care Bill will not be enough on its own to produce a step
change in the way people plan for social care and that policy must also draw on behavioural
economics to spur people into action.
Mental Illness costs UK £70bn
Mental illness is costing the UK around £70bn a year, with approximately a million people on
employment benefit suffering a common disorder such as depression or anxiety. An OECD report
found that Britain had the highest claimant count for mental health conditions in the developed
world, with a cost to the economy of 4.4% of GDP from welfare payments, lost productivity and
healthcare.
New research finds link between where children live and fast food outlets
Children who reside near fast food outlets are more likely to be obese when compared to their
peers from other neighbourhoods, according to a new study by the University of East Anglia (UEA)
and the Centre for Diet and Activity Research (CEDAR). They suggest findings should prompt the
Government and local councils to look at preventing "high concentrations of fast food and other
unhealthy food outlets" in a single area. The research indicates older children in particular are more
likely to be overweight when living in close proximity to a wide range of unhealthy eating outlets.
Turning the tide of inactivity
A new report published by UKactive, provides a detailed analysis of physical inactivity at a national
and local levels. It examines the rate of inactivity in each top tier local authority and analyses its
relationship with deprivation, premature mortality, cost and spend, leisure facilities and green
spaces. Nottingham is ranked 122nd out of 150 (no. 1 is the least inactive, no. 150 is the most
inactive). The Government has also published Moving More, Living More which considers the
promotion of physical activity as part of the legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games.
Quick Links
 MPs have voted in favour to make it a criminal offence to smoke in cars in England when
children are passengers, as part of an amendment to the Children and Families Bill.
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According to a report by Carers UK families looking after disabled relatives are facing a £1bn
funding cut in the next four years due to changes to the benefits system and restrictions on
Carer's Allowance. The figures are part of a year-long research.
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A report commissioned by Comic Relief provides an in-depth look at the experience of
residents/patients, staff and organisations involved in care homes and hospitals.
Note: This policy alert is for information only, and does not constitute official Nottingham City Council policy
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The Mental Health Crisis Care agreement has been published. It is a joint statement about how
public services should work together to respond to people who are in mental health crisis.
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The Health Select Committee published a report following an inquiry examining how Public
Health England has set about establishing its policy priorities and programme of work.
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The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published new guidance to
raise awareness among health professionals coming into contact with domestic violence victims.
Housing
English Housing Survey
The English Housing Survey for 2012/13 has been published. It is a national survey of people's housing
circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England. (This survey used to be
run as two standalone surveys: the English House Condition Survey and the Survey of English
Housing).
Social housing mobility guidance
The Government has published new guidance on promoting mobility through mutual exchange
between social housing tenants. Mutual exchange or home swap can bring benefits for social
landlords and tenants. It can help tenants who wish to move home, whether to take up employment,
be closer to family and friends or to downsize. For landlords, it can help make best use of housing
stock. The guidance draws on lessons from 12 pilot schemes.
Local Government
Council Tax Referendum kept at 2.0%
On 12 February the House of Commons approved the council tax referendum principles and final
local government finance settlement for 2014-15. This confirms the final distribution of around £23
billion to councils in England, announced on 5 February, and the requirement for councils to hold a
referendum if they set a Band D council tax increase of 2% or more.
Commission on Local Government Finance
An independent commission into local government finance is to be undertaken by the Local
Government Association and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy .
Quick Link
 The Local Audit and Accountability Act has passed Royal Assent and is now law.
Transport
Early warning system for bus networks to help tackle weather disruption
The Government has agreed it will establish an early warning system, building on existing channels
of communication between train companies and those running buses and coaches to ensure a
quick response to emerging challenges, identifying areas where disruption could be minimised and
additional services may be needed.
Quick Link
 HS2: Consultation on the Environmental Statement closed on the 27 February, with key
concerns arising around a lack of future flood assessments in light of the recent extreme
weather. The Government has also published its response to the Transport Committee’s 14th
special report ‘High Speed Rail: On track?’ focusing on costs, construction and the wider
economic benefits.
Note: This policy alert is for information only, and does not constitute official Nottingham City Council policy
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Public finances
National Audit Office: Most of Regional Growth Fund unspent
More than three quarters of the Regional Growth Fund - set up to boost regional economies remains unspent, according to a new report. The NAO progress report says that of the £2.6bn
allocated via the Regional Growth Fund, only £492m has so far reached projects.
Tax Take Weak in January
January saw a fall in the UK’s budget surplus to £4.7bn, down from the £6bn in the same month last
year. Economists had forecast a surplus of £8.15bn. January's outturn was the smallest surplus for
that month since 2010. Previous performance suggests the Government will still meet its borrowing
target.
Welfare
Household Food Security
DEFRA has published a report into Household Food Security in the UK: a Review of Food Aid. The
research, carried out by Warwick University and the Food Ethics Council, provides a snapshot of
the diversity of work currently being done to provide food aid, in the UK and elsewhere; an overview
of the research evidence base available; and some key reflections on trends and trajectories in food
aid provision and outcomes.
Minimum earnings threshold for EEA migrants introduced
From 1 March an EEA migrant will have to show that for 3 months they have been earning at the
level at which employees start paying National Insurance (£150 a week) to gain access to a range
of benefits.
Quick Links
DWP statistical releases can be found here:
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Sanctions statistics for claimants of Job Seekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance
between 22 October 2012 and 30 September 2013. Previously figures were available up to 30
June 2013.
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3,610 people claimed Universal Credit up to November 2013. New jobseekers in Bath and
Harrogate will be able to make a claim for Universal Credit from 24 February.
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) new claims show that in December 2013, 50% of all new
PIP claims led to an award.
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Benefits Cap: Numbers of households capped to December 2013.
Looking ahead
The Looking Ahead document gives an overview of the publications we expect in the coming
months, until May 2014. Some of these will be the subject of Policy Alerts.
All Policy Alerts and Policy Digests are prepared by Partnerships, Nottingham City Council, and are
available on Nottingham Insight. Please send any feedback to Kerry Ferguson, 0115 87 63415.
Note: This policy alert is for information only, and does not constitute official Nottingham City Council policy
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