Current issues in local government

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This is probably the hottest topic of them all.

The Government's Best Value regime came in on April 2000. Over the next five years, all services will be subject to Best Value reviews, which will be scrutinised by the Audit Commission

All councils will be measured against what is called 'the 4 C's test:

Challenge: Why is the service carried out at all?

Consult: What do customers think about the service and the level of performance?

Compare: How does performance compare with the best of the public and private sector?

Compete: Can the service be delivered more effectively by alternative providers?

Best Value should ensure that the right services are delivered to the right people - and that they are always improving.