This interesting debate is most useful. Despite the colour coding I find
myself lining up with Paul Spicker and am reminded particularly of the
report produced by Coventry CDP in the mid 70s 'Local Government becomes Big
Business' - may be catalogued with John Bennington as author. I agree that
things are being driven forward by market oriented systems, purchaser
provider splits, and potential privatization - can only Labour destroy the
Welfare State in the way only Nixon could go to China - but the 'joined up'
idea plainly resonates with corporate approaches at the top in local
administration and proposals dating from the 70s for neighbourhood offices,
one stop shops, and so on.
David Byrne
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