Generating improvement from within: The role of the improvement and development agency for local government

Abstract

The centralised inspection and control regime that currently operates in the UK has led to improvements in the corporate governance of local authorities, service quality and transparency. But it is costly and militates against local priorities and community leadership. Over the last six years the Improvement and Development Agency for local government has developed a range of services and products that seek to promote improvement from within the local government sector. These have been well received by local authorities and could provide the basis for a greater emphasis on self-regulation.