Raynsford rolls out service agreements

The government has announced it is rolling out local public
service agreements to 130 areas.

The scheme aims to deliver the best possible services in
partnership with local authorities.

Local government minister Nick Raynsford announced the roll-out
to the top tier authorities. A guide for local authorities has been
published, Local PSAs: New Challenges, which sets out how
even more councils can apply for the government scheme.

Raynsford said: “Local PSAs are good news for councils and good
news for communities. They are about setting and meeting targets
that will make a real, measurable difference to the quality of
services and people’s quality of life.”

Under the scheme, councils sign up to a package of performance
targets in 12 areas that have an impact on communities, such as
crime reduction and education projects. Councils are offered
financial incentives to help them deliver real improvements in
services over a three year period.