Society daily: 25.08.11

• Tory councillor and "youth champion" Andrew Draper, who despite being convicted of drink driving and assaulting a police officer, is to continue in office with the full backing of the local party. A decision possibly related to the delicate balance of power on Waveney council in Suffolk. An excellent post on the scandal by local blogger James Hargrave examines issues of fairness and justice, while you can read the East Anglian Daily Times report here. I'm not surprised to note that Draper screamed these words at the police officer who apprehended him:

"Do you know I'm a councillor?"

• Nottingham police staff, who are planning to strike next week over the way cuts to the force are being implemented

• Regeneration guru Tim Williams' entertaining bog post on the riots: causes and solutions (and why the Welsh didn't riot)

• A typically insightful post in the Diary of a Benefit Scrounger on media stereotypes about what constitutes disability - or the rise of the "leg-tatorship"

• This thought-provoking piece by New Philanthropy Capital blogger Iona Joy, who breaks her own rules by urging people to donate on the basis of charitable need - not charity effectiveness. Some of the very best, and most effective hospices are in wealthy areas, she says; but there are signs hospices in poorer areas are struggling. Where should donors put their money?

"For equity's sake, right now I'd say find a really hard up hospice in a hard up area."

• This blog post by Jules Birch which suggests the government's flagship "family recovery programme," run by Westminster council and aimed at "troubled" families, is running into funding difficulties.

• Matt Cavanagh's fascinating post on youth unemployment - and why employers want to hire migrant workers instead

• Blogger Tim Fenton on the Zelo Street blog, who skewers the latest bit of shoddy Tax Payer's Alliance "research" (aka "knocking copy"), this time on the Association of Police authorities.

• Catherine Walker of Directory of Social Change, who examines the government's open data policy in the context of big society:

"Increasingly it looks like the reality behind the Government's open data policy is quite different from the rhetoric. Take the black box out of the pretty wrapping paper and open it up, and instead of lovely spreadsheets full of informative data we find... only moths and myths."

On the Guardian Professional Networks

Public Leaders

Children's rights campaigner Camila Batmanghelidjh and children's commissioner Maggie Atkinson and others give their views on the future of youth policy

Government Computing

Peterborough council is integrating its social care and education IT, aiming to have a "single view of child" by autumn 2012

Local government

How to develop a neighbourhood plan - Tony Burton, director of Civic Voice, shares his tips for local authorities

Healthcare

London Health Programmes has improved care for cancer and stroke patients across the capital by redesigning and integrating services, write Dr Chris Harrison and Professor Tony Rudd

Voluntary sector

Well-chosen auditors can ensure that even the most complex charity runs smoothly, says Helena Wilkinson, partner at Chantrey Vellacott DFK

Housing

Jeremy Kuper, writer and housing charity worker, explains how shared ownership can cause practical and legal difficulties for owner tenants

Social enterprise

Live Q&A - Hiring and retaining talent, 1-3pm

Events and seminars

How can social and community enterprises access public sector assets?

14 September 2011, London

Examine the theory and practice behind the transfer process, learn about forthcoming legislation and explore which tactics and strategies are most effective for social enterprises.

Effective Events Fundraising

16 September 2011, London

Explore the strategic role of events fundraising in charities. Learn to plan, market and deliver events aligned to your brand and wider strategies. Hear from experts, network with fellow fundraisers and share best practice to maximise participation and income.

Public Services Summit Scotland - Re-examining and innovating for better delivery

22 September 2011, Edinburgh

Challenge thinking, share innovations and debate the future of public services alongside other senior public services deliverers. Book before 26 August for a 20% early bird discount.

Social Media in Social Housing: How to do it

4 October 2011, London

Communication with tenants and increasing media coverage can be made easier with social media use. Join us for clear and practical examples on saving money, improving communications and writing a social media strategy.