HC Deb 03 March 1998 vol 307 cc839-41
4. Jane Griffiths

When he expects to publish his consultation document on best value in local government; and if he will make a statement. [30624]

Mr. Prescott

At last; I was so keen to get in.

Today, my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and Housing launched the consultation paper on best value in local services. It takes forward our commitment to introduce a comprehensive regime, which will empower local people and ensure continuous improvement in the performance of local services. The proposals were discussed with local government at the central-local partnership meeting, which I chaired this morning, along with nine members of the Cabinet and Ministers.

Jane Griffiths

I thank my right hon. Friend for his answer and welcome the publication of the consultation document. Will he confirm that the purpose of best value is that councils should provide services at the level that residents have the right to expect, and at a price that residents can afford? Does he agree that Reading's Labour council, with its partnership-focused approach, is very well placed to meet the challenge posed by best value?

Mr. Prescott

I very much agree with my hon. Friend. Our approach is about better value and fairer employment.

Mrs. Ballard

The majority of councils are run by the Labour party. The Government, in their White Paper, are rightly wary of councils with large single-party majorities. Does the Secretary of State agree that the best way in which to achieve best value and truly accountable local government is by a fair system of local elections?

Mr. Prescott

Although I am not surprised that the hon. Lady equates everything with a fairer voting system, I think that our proposals for best value are the best way of dealing with the issue.

Mr. Tipping

Will the Deputy Prime Minister ensure that all councils benefit from the experience of best value councils and that good practice is promoted by the Audit Commission and other bodies? Will he particularly consider Newark and Sherwood district council's excellent record of energy efficiency and conservation?

Mr. Prescott

Yes, the Audit Commission has looked at the matters and reported very favourably on local authorities. I endorse a great deal of what it says. We have made it clear in our approach to best value that we want better value and fairer employment. The pilot schemes, of which there are about 40, are under way. The reports from them will make a major contribution to improving standards of service and gaining better value in our local authorities.

Sir Norman Fowler

Will the Secretary of State acknowledge that competitive tendering achieved hundreds of millions of pounds of savings to the benefit of the council tax payer? Is not the danger with the new system that has been set out today that it is too bureaucratic, will allow reluctant councils to continue to resist change, and will therefore work directly against the interests of the council tax payer?

Mr. Prescott

It has been acknowledged by all parties that have studied the matter that competitive tendering cost the taxpayer considerably more, as the system was reduced to least cost, least value. The cost to the taxpayer, either through family income supplements or as a result of the resources that were needed, was considerable. Even the private sector, in partnership with local authorities and trade unions, came to the conclusion that the previous system was over-bureaucratic and, in some cases, denied equality of employment in the contracts. That was the result of compulsory competitive tendering. We are seeking to change it.