LGA review should show us warts - and all

摘要

I am a huge supporter of the Local Government Association. I absolutely believe that the local government world is a better place for having a single voice - and I am in favour of most of what it does. As the Peer Review points out, if the LGA didn't exist, we would have to invent it. The report does a great job of highlighting some of the best bits of the LGA and it claims the Graph of Doom, 100 days, and Rewiring Local Government reports showcase local government lobbying at its best. However, the report is balanced - if somewhat politely. It doesn't scrimp on highlighting the problems -some of which are inherent in the nature of the organisation. It acknowledges that its diversity and consensus are its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. On sector-led improvement, the Peer Review suggests the LGA needs to make reviews harder-hitting, intervene even where they are not wanted, and speak out against service failure. The current consultation - which closes tomorrow - may provide some answers.