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The government has denied that it plans to fine councils that fail to complete their Supporting People service reviews by the 31 March deadline, and says it has instead adopted a "constructive" approach.

It had been rumoured that councils failing to complete the reviews, which judge the quality and strategic relevance of services, were to be fined by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. A
sizeable minority of authorities are thought to be unlikely to meet the deadline.

But an ODPM spokesperson said fines were not part of its plans. Officials had been offering support to those who may not meet the target, he added.

Meanwhile, councils will no longer be able to restrict services funded by Supporting People to local people, under proposed changes to the programme's grant conditions.

Grant Conditions and Directions for 2006-7  from www.spkweb.org.uk