Local politicians will have to do the ‘heavy lifting’, if councils are to establish a convincing narrative for changing the way public services are delivered
Simon Parker, The MJ

When the Coalition came into power, it promised to reduce central interference in the affairs of local government. When it comes to performance management, by abolishing first Comprehensive Area Assessments, then the Audit Commission, it seems as though the Government’s policy is to “abolish first, ask questions later.”
Olivier Roth, eGov Monitor

The Audit Commission’s death knell has sounded, and interested parties are buzzing with ideas for its successor. One popular option is the founding of a mutual, and stakeholders are endowing the idea with all their dreams for the future of public audit.
Olivier Roth, Accountancy Age

Councils may be under pressure to contract out services and reduce costs, but they still expect to support the local economy and employment.
Simon Parker, The MJ

In the wake of the abolition of the Audit Commission, how should government look to ensure that council finances can be held to account?
Olivier Roth, Public Finance

Since its inception, the Coalition has been pursing a twin-track drive of private-sector-led economic growth and decentralisation. However, with the economy recovering only slowly, pressures are building to prioritise enterprise ahead of a wider shift in political power. It is fast becoming crucial, therefore, that the Government can define areas where these two tracks converge. If designed correctly, transport policy could be a meeting point.
Nigel Keohane, Total Politics

In order to generate the kinds of savings which would absorb the budget cuts, Local Authorities need to start sharing front-line services, their biggest spending areas.
Olivier Roth, Local Government Chronicle

The scale and frontloaded nature of the funding cuts hitting local government means that in many localities the range of services provided by the council cannot be sustained. Local authorities are urgently redefining their fundamental role and purpose. Many are renegotiating the relationship they have with their citizens in an attempt to arrive at a new service settlement.
Nick Hope, Senior Researcher, The MJ