Inspecting for Improvement? Emerging Patterns of Public Service Regulation in the UK

10.1068/c59m ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 410-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Downe ◽  
Steve Martin
Keyword(s):  
Central Government ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Audit Commission ◽  
Policy Objectives ◽  
Key Policy ◽  
Elite Interviews ◽  
The Uk

In recent years ministers in the UK have regarded external inspection as a key driver of improvement in public services and an important instrument of good governance. Detailed data analysis of the operation of Audit Commission inspection of English local authorities since April 2000 demonstrates significant variations in inspection scores in different types of authorities, in different years and in different services. These findings raise important questions about the consistency with which inspection criteria are being applied and the reliability of the evidence on which inspectors are basing their judgments about a council's capacity for improvement. This in turn casts doubt on the capacity of the current model of improvement to make service providers more accountable to the public, which central government claims to be one of its key policy objectives. The paper uses data from the shadowing of inspections in five local authorities and elite interviews to explore the practice of ‘inspecting for improvement’.

scholarly journals Commercial property tax in the UK: business rates and rating appeals

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 602-619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Greenhalgh ◽  
Kevin Muldoon-Smith ◽  
Sophie Angus
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Multiple Perspectives ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the introduction of the business rates retention scheme (BRRS) in England which transferred financial liability for backdated appeals to LAs. Under the original scheme, business rates revenue, mandatory relief and liability for successful appeals is spilt 50/50 between central government and local government which both share the rewards of growth and bear the risk of losses. Design/methodology/approach The research adopts a microanalysis approach into researching local government finance, conducting a case study of Leeds, to investigate the impact of appeals liability and reveal disparities in impact, through detailed examination of multiple perspectives in one of the largest cities in the UK. Findings The case study reveals that Leeds, despite having a buoyant commercial economy driven by retail and service sector growth, has been detrimentally impacted by BRRS as backdated appeals have outweighed uplift in business rates income. Fundamentally BRRS is not a “one size fits all” model – it results in winners and losers – which will be exacerbated if local authorities get to keep 100 per cent of their business rates from 2020. Research limitations/implications LAs’ income is more volatile as a consequence of both the rates retention and appeals liability aspects of BRRS and will become more so with the move to 100 per cent retention and liability. Practical implications Such volatility impairs the ability of local authorities to invest in growth at the same time as providing front line services over the medium term – precisely the opposite of what BRRS was intended to do. It also incentivises the construction of new floorspace, which generates risks overbuilding and exacerbating over-supply. Originality/value The research reveals the significant impact of appeals liability on LAs’ business rates revenues which will be compounded with the move to a fiscally neutral business rates system and 100 per cent business rates retention by 2020.

Making of National Policy on Education, 1986

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.V. Vaidyanatha Ayyar
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Education ◽  
Human Resource Development ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Technical Education ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Policy Objectives ◽  
Key Policy ◽  
Navodaya Vidyalayas ◽  
National Policy On Education

This chapter briefly narrates the great hopes aroused by Rajiv Gandhi’s accession to power and his dashing initiatives such as the reorganization of Central Government ministries and critiques the formation of the Ministry of Human Resource Development. It outlines other policy initiatives such as the establishment of Navodaya Vidyalayas and the Indira Gandhi National Open University, and describes the process followed for the formulation of the National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986, and its Programme of Action (POA). It narrates and critiques the key policy postulates of NPE, 1986, such as the a large and systemic programme of non-formal education being a pre-requisite for universalizing elementary education, and vesting the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) with statuary powers to regulate technical education. It highlights the fact that NPE, 1986, skirted burning issues of higher education as it not anchored in policy analysis. In the praxis of education policy, there is often no realistic assessment of the problem which needs to be addressed, no realistic identification of the various alternatives, no rigorous evaluation of alternatives, and no roadmap offered for realization of the policy objectives

Moving from E-Government to T-Government

2009 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vishanth Weerakkody ◽  
Gurjit Dhillon
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
One Stop ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Uk

Most public services are overly complex, and separate where citizens have no choice in the service that they receive. All too often, Information and Communication Technologies are overlaid onto existing organisational structures without any consideration to how these structures can be improved. In this context, the UK government is striving towards a vision for government-wide transformation, in which local authorities and central government departments are endeavouring to work with each other to deliver better services to citizens, via a one-stop-shop environment for all services under the guise of electronic government (e-government). Having successfully e-enabled customer facing processes, the UK government is now working towards reengineering and e-enabling back office processes and information systems to facilitate more joined-up and citizen-centric e-government services. These efforts are referred to as the transformational stage of e-government or t-Government. This chapter seeks to explore what t-Government means to local authorities in the UK and what process related challenges have to be overcome to successfully implement transformational change in local government. A number of broader issues of strategic, organisational, socio-cultural, and technical origin are identified in the literature as presenting a considerable challenge for this goal. However, using a case study of a key local government service, this chapter shows that more obviously, but often ignored, process and information systems related issues pose an even more significant challenge in practice.

Urban Local Authorities and the Delivery of Micromobility Strategies Obstacles in the Implementation of Bicycle Hire in the UK

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 480-498
Author(s):  
Geoffrey Dudley ◽  
David Banister ◽  
Tim Schwanen
Keyword(s):  
Central Government ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
The Public ◽  
Transport Services ◽  
Mobility Strategies ◽  
Political Resources ◽  
Problems And Solutions ◽  
The Uk

The pressures on urban local authorities to deliver mobility strategies highlight both their need and ability to connect problems and solutions, and then successfully implement the schemes. These difficulties are compounded by other distinctive pressures, from both above and below. From above there can be pressures from national government to deliver strategies, but at the same time not necessarily be provided with the necessary financial and political resources. From below, there can be an attraction towards innovators who can provide strategies at apparently little or no cost to the public sector. These relationships can be unpredictable and unstable, while the technologies themselves can display weaknesses, and be subject to change. The dynamics of the delivery of micromobility can therefore offer strong challenges to urban local authorities in constructing stable networks, mobilizing public support for their actions, and in linking in with other transport services. The two case studies selected here cover the development of bicycle hire in the UK, with particular reference to dockless bicycle hire. Even when the local authorities have active intentions to oversee successful innovations, they are unlikely to succeed without the stronger involvement of central government, including the necessary statutory powers, together with adequate financial resources and associated expertise.

Research on how to Improve the Liveability of City Community

2012 ◽  
Vol 174-177 ◽  
pp. 3503-3506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Central Government ◽  
Local Environment ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
The Political ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
City Community ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Innovative Approaches

The term ‘liveability’ has markedly risen up the political agenda in the UK in 2003, with an £89m Liveability Fund being given to 27 local authorities from central Government. The government also developed many other related policies, regulations and targets to improve the quality of local environment. This paper presents the positively interrelated factors that can greatly contribute to the promotion of liveability. It aims to synthesize a set of innovative approaches to improve the liveability of our living places and make cleaner, greener and safer communities.

Moving from E-Government to T-Government

2011 ◽  
pp. 2240-2255
Author(s):  
Vishanth Weerakkody ◽  
Gurjit Dhillon
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Government Services ◽  
One Stop ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Back Office

The UK government is striving towards a vision for government-wide transformation, in which local authorities and central government departments are endeavouring to work with each other to deliver better services to citizens via a one-stop-shop environment for all services under the guise of electronic government (e-government). Having successfully e-enabled customer facing processes, the UK government is now working towards reengineering and e-enabling back office processes and information systems to facilitate more joined-up and citizen centric e-government services; these efforts are referred to as the transformational stage of e-government or T-Government. This paper seeks to explore what T-Government means to local authorities in the UK and what process related challenges have to be overcome to successfully implement transformational change in local government.

Moving from E-Government to T-Government

2011 ◽  
pp. 349-364
Author(s):  
Vishanth Weerakkody ◽  
Gurjit Dhillon
Keyword(s):  
Information Systems ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Electronic Government ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Government Services ◽  
One Stop ◽  
Uk Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Back Office

The UK government is striving towards a vision for government-wide transformation, in which local authorities and central government departments are endeavouring to work with each other to deliver better services to citizens via a one-stop-shop environment for all services under the guise of electronic government (e-government). Having successfully e-enabled customer facing processes, the UK government is now working towards reengineering and e-enabling back office processes and information systems to facilitate more joined-up and citizen centric e-government services; these efforts are referred to as the transformational stage of e-government or T-Government. This paper seeks to explore what T-Government means to local authorities in the UK and what process related challenges have to be overcome to successfully implement transformational change in local government.

Managing Public Sector Records in Namibia

2018 ◽  
pp. 257-274
Author(s):  
Cathrine T. Nengomasha
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Good Governance ◽  
Management Programme ◽  
Records Management ◽  
Academic Institutions ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
The Many

The benefits of records management have been well documented; from preserving evidence and supporting accountability and transparency, to preserving nations' documentary heritage. Governments as with many other organisations have realised the importance of records management for good governance and have put in place policies, programmes and procedures aimed at managing their records effectively and efficiently. In spite of the many benefits that can be derived from records management and efforts made, challenges continue to be reported. This chapter discusses these challenges within the context of the records management programme of the Namibia public sector. The author cites studies conducted by various researchers on records management in a variety of public sector institutions ranging from central government, regional and local authorities and academic institutions. Some recommendations to address a number of the challenges identified are presented.

Solving the Radon Problem in the UK: The Role of Environmental Health Officers

1994 ◽  
Vol 56 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 367-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Remedial Measures ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
The People ◽  
The Uk

Abstract A major duty of local authorities in the UK is to the wellbeing of local communities. Much of this work is implemented through the Environmental Health Officers. Following a chance finding of radon during a national survey organised by the Institution of Environmental Health Officers, local authorities in the country of Northamptonshire cooperated to identify the extent of the problem and the cause, and to advise impartially on remedial measures. As the level of government closest to the people, local authorities in the county have been able to inform the people and advance the programme more speedily than if left to central government.

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