The Government could save billions of pounds by scrapping a flagship programme to assess and publicise the performance of local services, a think-tank report said
The Government could save billions of pounds by scrapping a flagship programme to assess and publicise the performance of local services, a think-tank report said today
The Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) and its predecessor have both failed to improve local government performance leading to a ‘culture of compliance’, according to think tank Localis
A report from the think tank Localis says that compliance with the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) costs 2bn a year and has called for the system to be scrapped
London’s boroughs have set out a list of demands for new responsibilities that should be devolved to local government after the general election – including over benefits
Interesting report in The Guardian that the Shadow Treasury team are in talks with Conservative councils about handing over to Town Halls the responsibility for setting and distributing certain benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance.
Under the proposal, benefits would be lower where it was easier to find work, and councils would also be given incentives to help people find jobs, according to Phillip Hammond
A typical council does get hundreds of FIA requests a year and there is a cost involved. But costs could be reduced if there isn’t a great effort made to come up for excuses for witholding the information but it is just handed over
Up to 15% of spending on public services is being wasted through duplication and inefficiency, according to research that suggests huge savings could be made without harming schools, hospitals and social care
Mark Wallace of the Taxpayers Alliance finds a mixed picture in Town Halls when it comes to embracing Freedom of Information and strongly advocates ensuring transparency continues.