News

Councils are to see a reduction in the inspections they face following an announcement last week by the Local Services Inspectorate Forum.

The number of days inspectors will spend in councils will fall by around a third this year compared with last year and by around a half compared with 2001-2.

The best performing councils will be inspected the least, with those rated as "excellent" in the comprehensive performance assessment receiving a much reduced number of visits. Inspectors' focus will be on those councils and services where most improvement is needed.


"Excellent" councils will also be exempt from having to produce any major service plans, and the number of separate plans and strategies that councils are required to produce for central government generally is to be reduced over the next two years.

- Go to www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa/solidlsif.asp