Have a break – a career break
Chocolate brownie pointsLet's get physical
Following Tony Blair's health scare, his deputy is taking no chances. "I've come straight from the gym," John Prescott joked as he addressed delegates at the Better Building Summit last week. But that didn't put BBC pitbull John Humphrys' mind at rest. Introducing Prescott, environment secretary Margaret Beckett and the DTI's Patricia Hewitt, Humphrys said: "We shouldn't have given you that strong coffee. We could have wiped three ministers out in one go."

Charity, the hard way
Recent government proposals to extend the definition of charitable activities prompted one law firm to advise a leading housing association that its work could now include "the relief of the aged, impotent and poor." Does this mean that associations can now open fertility clinics?

Best buddies
National Housing Federation chief Jim Coulter demonstrated his close relationship with the Treasury at the Fed's south-west conference last week. "I've met Gordon Brown a few times," he said. "The first time he said 'get out of my way', and the second time he said 'get out of my way, please.'"

God help us, every one
Dreading Christmas shopping? Never fear, the Local Government Association has come out with the perfect stocking filler: its new booklet for fact fans, Local Matters. Here's a taster: did you know that each person generates half a tonne of municipal waste each year? Mmmmmn.

Deano bounces back
Baroness Brenda Dean has left the building: Peter Dixon is settled in at Maple House. But it seems you just can't keep a good lady down. Fresh from joining HT's advisory board, news has reached me that Dean has also accepted a non-executive directorship on the board of Britain's biggest housebuilder, George Wimpey.

Clearly, she can't get enough of those governance issues.

Even better than the real thing
Who needs a living, breathing home secretary when you've got the David Blunkett Policy Generator? Get your own instant supply of policies online at www.qwghlm.co.uk/other/blunkett.php.

How long is a piece of string?

Hull council is going all out to avoid a repeat of the ugly recriminations that followed the leaking of last year’s damning Audit Commission report. This summer’s inspection by the auditors, due to be published within the next two weeks, is currently available for Hull councillors and officers to view – but to prevent the unscrupulous leaking of copies to the press, the tome is kept on a string in the acting chief executive’s office.

Source

Housing Today