Suchergebnisse

Looks at the experience of Scotland and the lessons which can be learned both in administrative terms and social impacts. (JLN)

In February 1988, the UK government published a consultative document Financing our Public Library Service: four subjects for debate. Whilst the government is committed to the continued provision of a free basic public library service to individuals, the Green Paper seeks to promote discussion about the increased use of library charges. (Abstract amended)

The latest Green Paper on reform of local government finance represents an attempt to achieve local accountability through increased use of fees and charges. Critically appraises just what is meant by 'realistic charging policies', 'efficient use of resources' and 'effective pricing policies'. The danger of a blinkered approach to increased use of charging is stressed and factors to be considered when reviewing charging are discussed. (Original abstract--Amended)

In this paper, the point is argued that the British block grant system for local government finance is becoming increasingly inappropriate as a means of achieving both equalisation and control of local spending. It calls for a separate educational block grant which would facilitate achievement of both these objectives. Furthermore, it would clarify the fields of responsibility of British central and local government by integrating the concept of minimum standards of service provision into the grant system.

In this paper the authors focus on the purchaser—provider split within UK local government, They assess whether that split has had the effects predicted by the theory, especially in terms of diverting the purchaser's attention away from service production per se and more towards assessing and meeting the needs of service users. This implies a shift of attention from inputs and processes to outputs and outcomes. In making that assessment, the authors review other research and present the results of their own survey of all British local governments. They conclude that, if anything, the purchaser—provider split has increased the amount of attention paid to inputs and processes and has done little to focus attention on outputs and even less in respect of outcomes. Although this evidence is by no means conclusive, it does serve to qualify earlier research results that found improvements in outcomes for some services as a result of contracting.