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A 10-year vision of local government could map out the future relationship between social services and health and education.

The ideas are contained in a government pamphlet, which is likely to be followed by a more detailed document in September and a white paper next year.

One of the five main areas for consideration is the role of councils in delivering social care and education and how they relate to other public services, including health. Developing a performance framework that is not dependent on central government but encourages local accountability is also highlighted.

One former social services director said the interaction between social services and health and education would prove a key battleground because, within 10 years, most hospitals would be foundation trusts and most schools would be autonomous organisations.

Mike Leadbetter, head of the Practice Learning Taskforce, said the debate should address council boundaries and whether health bodies, such as primary care trusts, could be aligned with them.


But he said the ultimate issue would be around funding and ring-fencing. "The government wants councils to spend a set amount on social services while councils want the freedom to spend budgets on what they want. How do you square that circle?"

The Future of Local Government from www.odpm.gov.uk