JGP News

Employers should look to encourage their workers to improve sustainability in the workplace, it has been suggested.

Lara Conaway, sustainability manager for Morgan Lovell, claimed that organisations - which could include those operating in the third sector - are now increasingly being expected to take steps to boost their environmental credentials.

She said: "Staff can not only help in the efficiency drive but they expect employers to be doing something about it. Engage the staff in what you are doing."

As an example Ms Conaway suggested that employers should run a campaign to make sure that all their workers turn off their computers at night, in comments that may be of interest to those looking to improve sustainable efficiencies.

Furthermore, it was stated that there should be dedicated staff within an office who have special responsibility for reducing energy consumption in the workplace as a part of their job description.

Earlier this month, Liz Lowe, campaign director for Coca-Cola’’s See Plastic Differently campaign, claimed that it is crucial for businesses to have "sustainability at the heart of everything they do".

More about sustainable efficiencies.

Those working for charities and voluntary groups north of the border may be set to benefit from improved office facilities, it has been reported.

The Melting Point, a start-up served office provider based in Edinburgh, has recently received funding from the Scottish government to help it provide desk space and internet access to third sector organisations and social enterprises that are in need of such facilities on an ad-hoc basis, Choregus reports.

Claire Carpenter, founder of the Melting Point, noted that "this was something I needed that didn”t exist".

She added: "I have often worked from home as I have mostly worked for groups without a permanent base here and it is a lonely thing to do."

Such news could be of interest to those charities that are looking to improve their skills framework.

Meanwhile, research by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations revealed that 48 per cent of charities in Scotland claimed that funding over the course of 2008 was at the same level as that received during 2007.

More skills framework information.

The countdown to what is claimed to be the biggest change for those working in local government in more than 30 years is well underway, it has been reported.

From April 1st, nine new councils will replace 44 local authorities, with local government minister John Healey reporting that the transition is currently going ahead smoothly.

He said: "This isn”t a bureaucratic process of redrawing maps or changing names and it’’s not a 24-hour makeover.

"This is about making a real difference to people’’s lives."

Mr Healey added that the new councils will be "committed to delivering better services". In addition, it was stated that the move will generate a total saving of more than £100 million, in news that could interest those looking to improve sustainable efficiencies.

As an example of the difference the change will make, it was indicated that Durham’’s new council will now offer a single telephone number for all its services.

Earlier this month, the Local Government Association reported that the majority of local authorities are working well with local faith groups.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

Sustainability needs to be an increasing area of focus for organisations.

This is the assertion of Liz Lowe, campaign director of Coca-Cola’’s See Plastic Differently campaign, who reports that firms - which could include those operating within the third sector - must be aware of environmental issues and take the time to attempt to improve their own green credentials.

"Businesses now have to have sustainability at the heart of everything they do or else they”re just not going to be in business for much longer," Ms Lowe claimed.

She added that her organisation has attempted to use as much recycled material in its packaging as possible and is encouraging its consumers to recycle plastic bottles.

The comments made by the campaign director could be of interest to those looking to improve sustainable efficiencies.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Mike Hall recently claimed that there needs to be a change in the way that charitable and voluntary organisations are charged by utilities companies for using water, otherwise they may be set to witness a dramatic increase in drainage costs.

More about sustainable efficiencies.

Those working in the public sector are forming effective links as network partners with faith groups.

Such is the assertion of the Local Government Association (LGA), which indicates that the majority of local councils believe working together with local faith and inter-faith organisations can help to encourage people of different backgrounds to come together and generate a sense of togetherness in communities.

Research from the LGA also showed that more than half of local authorities have become involved in the creation of an inter-faith organisation, while 83 per cent of councils questioned have worked with religious groups in some other way.

Margaret Eaton, chair of the LGA, said: "These survey findings clearly show the strong commitment councils have towards working with a wide range of organisations in strengthening togetherness and understanding within local areas."

Earlier this month, it was revealed that the government’’s Business Rate Supplements bill could see councils receive more power to improve employment opportunities and raise finance for economic development projects in partnership with local businesses.

More about network partners.