PLC Public Sector reports:
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Education: those advising schools should be aware that the current regulations dealing with head teachers’ qualifications have been revoked, so that from 8 February 2012, first time head teachers will no longer be required to hold a National Professional Qualification for Headship or its equivalent before being appointed.
Employment: all public sector employers will be interested in the confirmation from BIS that the increase in the unfair dismissal qualifying period to two years will only affect new joiners whose employment begins on or after 6 April 2012.
Enforcement agents: anyone engaging enforcement agents will be interested in the new national standards published by the Ministry of Justice, which set out the minimum standards of behaviour expected of bailiffs and bailiff firms.
Local government: local authority lawyers should be aware that:
- A second commencement order has been made bringing into force further provisions of the Localism Act 2011. Also in accordance with the Act, the provisions relating to local authority pay policies and changes to the predetermination rules also came into force on 15 January 2012.
- The government has confirmed that it will be adopting a bespoke approach to the devolution of powers to directly-elected mayors. This follows on from its consultation on the issue in November 2011.
- Guidance on the transition of the responsibility for public health to local authorities has been published.
Public procurement: public procurement lawyers will be interested in the Court of Appeal’s consideration of what will constitute a services concession in JBW Group Ltd v Ministry of Justice.
Consultations: this week consultations were launched on:
- Proposed changes to county court public counter services.
- Changes to school staff regulations in relation to capability procedures.
- A new enforcement regime for household bins.
- The regulations governing housing and construction as part of the “Red Tape Challenge”.
- Green procurement.
- Good practice in the procurement of standards-based ICT.