News

Central government intervention improved failing local authority services, according to new findings from the Audit Commission, writes Lauren Revans.

A new report, 'A Force for Change', looks at the 25 per cent of councils with responsibility for education and social services that were subject to intervention between 1997 and 2001.

In an NOP survey of these councils, 72 per cent of respondents thought their councils had made substantial progress since intervention, while 75 per cent said they had found intervention "fairly" or "very" helpful.

In addition, inspectors found "significant progress" in the 21 social services departments placed on special measures during that period.

Among the reasons for failing services, the report identifies poor political and managerial leadership, including lack of commitment to a service by councillors, lack of ambition on the part of council leadership, and failure to take tough decisions.

* The audit commission is undertaking a national value for money study on "mainstreaming neighbourhood renewal", looking at the extent to which this is happening and whether local strategic partnerships are prepared for it. A report will be published in May, and a second phase will then begin looking at best practice.

Click here to read the full report