Workplaceupdate

The Local Government Capital Finance Green Paper, out on 19 September, addresses a wide range of issues regarding local authorities’ ability to raise capital. The value of PFI and PPPs is emphasised, with implied criticism of authori- ties that have been reluctant to embrace them. The Green Paper proposes greater flexibility for councils to borrow and opportunities for business to invest in local communities. Comments are invited by December 8. The Green Paper is available on www.local.detr.gov.uk.

The DTI has published a Guide to the Future of Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs). RIAs were first introduced under the previous government and have not had their intended impact.The process was strengthened in August 1998 when it became mandatory for all new regulation-impacting business to be subject to an RIA. In future, all public consultations on new regulations must be accompanied by a partial RIA, which will then be submitted to ministers. It should give industry the opportunity to highlight any adverse regulatory burdens.

The Low Pay Commission’s consultation on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) ends at the end of October. The commission is seeking views on the impact of the NMW, the training rate, and whether the base rate should be raised next year. Submissions can be sent to the commission at lpc@gtnet.gov.uk

The Local Government Procurement Review has been announced after months of delay. It is to be chaired by Sir Ian Byatt, former director general of OFWAT, and will cover the procurement of goods, works and services. It will address the role of modern procurement practice in delivering best value. The task force will start this month and report next spring.

The Home Office is consulting on a proposed code to avoid racial discrimination in recruitment practices under Section 8 of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. The code should come into operation in April 2001. For details, e-mail Graeme.Hopkins@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk.

The Home Office recently issued a draft code of practice on the discharge of the functions of public authorities under Part I of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Part V deals with public sector contracts and recommends that confidentiality clauses should be resisted even when these relate to the terms of the contract, its value and performance. Copies are available on www.homeoffice.gov.uk/foi/dftcp00.htm.

The Ministry of Defence is developing a Soft Issues Bid Evaluation Tool (SIBET) to enable soft issues worth more than 10% of contract value to be taken into account in the award of longer term partnering and PFI arrangements. SIBET will apply a disciplined approach to ensure consistency throughout the evaluation process. The balance of marks allocated to technical, commercial and soft issues in any procurement will be determined by the project team.

Peter Ryan, head of the MoD’s Public Private Partnership Unit, has been appointed head of PPP within the Office of Government Commerce – an important position in light of the OGC’s role in setting policy for future PPPs.