Public leaders network: pick of the web

Government announces first mutual funding awards Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude announces first three awards from the government's £10m mutual support programme. The three public sector spin outs cover schools, arts and youth services. Former David Cameron special adviser joins Policy Exchange Thinktank says Sean Worth will work on a major project on public services reform. Before spending two years in Downing Street, Worth was head of the Conservative party's policy unit, where he authored several of its proposals to improve public services. Civil service diversity internship programme launches Internship Programme opens again on 7 June. The programme is aimed at students from under-represented groups such as those from black and ethnic minority communities and lower socio-economic backgrounds. There will be 120 places on the scheme this year. Report says doctors on NHS boards increases quality for patients New report from Leeds Business School says more doctors on NHS boards increases patient satisfaction and lowers morbidity. NHS Employers "deeply disappointed" over BMA industrial action Dean Royles, director of the NHS Employers organisation, has expressed deep disappointment over the BMA's decision to take industrial action that could, he said, potentially mean delays to treatment. Doctors will now work locally with NHS trusts to assess the impact of their action on local services. Enfield council publishes book of essays on local authorities and children's services Tomorrow's People takes a look at the work of local authorities in providing services for children and young people, building on the council's idea of a co-ordinating council. The publication is the second in a series looking at the role of local authorities in an increasingly fragmented society and includes a foreword by Margaret Hodge MP, chair of the Commons public accounts committee. CBI calls for smarter use of public finances on infrastructure spend New report says the government needs to do more to make infrastructure investment a better offer for investors, including targeting specific projects to enhance their credit rating and commercialising the public sector's approach to infrastructure, which would include a single shop window for would-be investors.