News

The Local Government Association has urged the government not to restrict new powers to top-performing councils.

The call follows the announcement by local government secretary Stephen Byers of the terms of reference for the three-month Best Value review, due to report at the end of 2001 (News, page 8, 4 October).

Byers said the review would identify models of service delivery that included cost-effective public-private partnerships where these could help address poor performance in delivering local services.

LGA chairperson Jeremy Beecham welcomed the review, but expressed concern over possible limits on the powers. He said: "Local authorities need wider powers to provide services to others, whether this is to other councils, public or private organisations."

The review will also look at ways in which Best Value can balance the delivery of high-quality services against ensuring fair terms and conditions for staff delivering those services, including incentives for better performance. New regulations and guidance, and possibly a code of practice, will be introduced for next April to reflect the review's findings.

In addition, the review will identify measures to tackle unfairness in the terms and conditions of staff, especially those recruited following a transfer of services to an external provider.