Local Government Service Delivery

The Options for Service Delivery
The Department of the Environment (DOE) has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to prepare an assessment of the options for local government service delivery by the 11 new councils.

The assessment will proceed in two phases:

Phase 1

• define the current arrangements for delivering the functions transferring from central government (such as planning, urban regeneration, community development and public-realm aspects of local roads functions)
  
• define the current arrangements and functions delivered by local government on a group basis (such as environmental health, building control and waste disposal)
  
• quantify the current direct and indirect financial matters and, staff issues, as well as other resources deployed in support of these functions
  
• provide analysis of how these functions are delivered elsewhere in the UK
  
• recommend effective and efficient operating models for the future delivery of these functions by the 11 new councils in 2011

Phase 2

• provide a full economic appraisal of local government service delivery in its entirety, taking account of the effects of the reduction in the number of councils and the additional functions transferring from central government
• provide an outline Implementation Plan to give effect to Phase 1 and 2 recommendations

The consultancy work is guided by officers from central and local government and it ensures that the views of local and central government, elected representatives and Trade Unions are fully taken into account.