§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what reports or advice he received from the Audit Commission in relation to his Department's proposals for a new framework for compulsory competitive tendering. [38949]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe proposals to change the CCT framework took account of discussions between officials in my Department and the Audit Commission about the interpretation of credits and allowances in CCT calculations. Since these proposals were published, we have received technical comments from Audit Commission officials.
§ Mr. NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the extent to which officials in his Department, responsible for developing policy towards compulsory competitive tendering, visit local authorities to determine episodes of(a) good and (b) bad practices; and if he will make a statement on the value of national legislation and regulation to deal with weaknesses in some local authorities. [38950]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordIn the past 12 months, the relevant officials have made approximately 50 visits to local authorities to discuss compulsory competitive tendering matters, including good and bad practice. In addition, officials speak at and/or attend conferences and seminars on CCT which are designed for local authority staff.
Overall, CCT legislation has proved effective in promoting greater efficiency in the provision of local authority services. The framework includes enforcement powers for the Secretary of State to use against authorities that act in an anti-competitive way and/or where an in-house team fails to meet prescribed financial targets.
We have no plans to change the enforcement provisions, but we are currently considering whether changes need to be made to the CCT framework for professional services and housing management.