‘Clients should vote out poor providers’

Clients should be allowed to vote out providers they are unhappy
with and choose new ones, according to a local government
think-tank.

The New Local Government Network said care users should be given a
collective choice over who delivers their services and how their
services are provided.

The proposals are part of a manifesto for local government reform
that calls for an extension of user choice and more powers over
local services.

It is understood the government is considering such ideas. The
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s five-year strategy, due next
week, is likely to include plans for local authorities to devolve
responsibility over some environmental and community safety
services to neighbourhoods.

• The Modernisers’ Tale available from www.nlgn.org.uk