The CIPR is in talks about widening the remit of its local government committee to include other public sector organisations such as fire and police. The new committee would reflect the changing nature of public sector comms and could be renamed 'local public services committee'.

Business Link Yorkshire has appointed Northern Lights PR to promote its work helping new businesses to set up and grow. Northern Lights won the contract in a competitive tender with six other agencies and will work with Business Link's in-house team to develop and deliver its PR strategy.

UK Transplant has appointed Lawton and online PR specialist Headstream to handle an awareness-raising campaign for 18- to 24-year-olds called 'Be a superhero and sign up to the Organ Donor Register', which will include a presence at this year's V Festival.

The Commission for a Sustainable 2012 is using Clarke Mulder Purdie Communications to raise awareness among Olympics 2012 stakeholders of sustainability issues and solutions around the Beijing Olympics.

The Open University's head of media relations is to join Communications Management next month. Neil Coaten has been at the university for seven years and managed a team of five press officers. During his tenure, he worked on several campaigns, including its response to planned cuts to Equivalent Level Qualifications.

West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue has launched a virtual newsroom to keep journalists informed around the clock. The site can be accessed via www.westyorksfire.gov.uk and includes incident news, video features and press releases.

Hertfordshire County Council has issued a CD to help prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel. The Revive and Survive CD uses neuro-linguistic programming techniques and pulsing tones to help drivers relax while taking a break, so they will be more refreshed when they return to driving afterwards.