Transfer powers from quangos
Author: The Guardian |
The Conservative leader of Kent county council, Paul Carter, is working with other south-east county leaders on plans for a transfer of responsibility from quangos, such as the Regional Development Agencies, the Highways Agency, Learning and Skills Council and the Homes and Communities Agency to county councils and sub-regions.
He said 5bn, or 10%, savings were available in the south-east alone. Similar savings would be possible in other regions. Carter, chair of South East England Councils, said: “Take out the overhead costs, the administration costs, the chief executives and staff and office accommodation and everything else under the sun, as well as an acceptance that everyone has got to make do with a little bit less, then a 10% reduction in costs is for starters. It is quite possible to be more draconian if there is a need for bigger public sector cuts.”
He will publish detailed plans along with other council leaders at the time of the party conferences. He has already canvassed support from county leaders in England’s eight other regions.