KCC faces bigger challenge

Kent County Council is discovering that its “Facing The Challenge” programme to outsource dozens of services is proving rather more challenging than it may have anticipated. Its masterplan involves the authority commissioning services rather than being a direct provider, broadly to save money. But it is not going as smoothly as it hoped. It has scrapped plans to outsource hundreds of back-office staff, a decision that followed the news it was suspending a plan for libraries to be run by a trust. Intriguingly, it seems some Conservative councils are now turning away from putting out to tender anything that moves.

Still, at least we know that the taxpayer will get value for money from “Facing The Challenge”. At least, we think we know. As a report on “Facing The Challenge” says: “The outcomes of the competitive dialogue procurement will be benchmarked against an integrated services cost comparator.” Phew. Thank goodness.

The ex-Ukip South East MEP Janice Atkinson, who now sits in the EU with the Europe of Nations and Freedom group dominated by the French National Front, is after a new spin doctor. And the successful candidate will need plenty of skills. One thing they mustn’t be, according to the advert, is a prima donna. It’s tempting to say something but we’d better not.

While we are on the subject of colourful politicians, it seems the Conservative London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith is not entirely in agreement with Boris Johnson over the idea that housing shortages in the capital might be solved by building in parts of Kent. Mr Johnson commissioned a report that concluded a population overspill of 250,000 could be absorbed in Canterbury, Medway, Dover and Thanet. But Mr Goldsmith told the party conference all the houses London needed could be built… in London.

The announcement by George Osborne that councils will keep every penny of the money raised from business rates was a genuine rabbitout-of-the-hat moment at the party’s conference. One council leader contacted for his reaction refused to believe it, saying it must be a joke. He was delighted to learn it was true. It shows how rarely the government spreads goodwill down the political chain.

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