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So, we see the final pieces of the previous administration's local government performance framework being removed – first CAA, next the place survey, then LAAs, and now the National Indicator set. We in Swale, like many, are reviewing our performance framework in light of these changes. Our starting point is that in order to manage a business, people need to measure and control some metrics. So, we will retain a set of local performance indicators (PIs) although, in part, will have a different flavour from the National Indicators (NIs), focusing on issues which local people want to know most about, for example, customer care measures. Abdool Kara is chief executive at Swale Borough Council. Equally, in order to prioritise we need to know what our taxpaying public think. Contrary to the view that the ballot box is the only survey we will ever need, we are commissioning a local perceptions survey to help us prioritise our spend, and focus our improvements. So, is this lazy or constrained thinking on our part? Are we like the prisoner who, after 20 years in jail, is too afraid to take advantage of an open door? I think not, as I reflect on the Local Government Association (LGA) proposals for self-regulation and improvement, which include a combination of national outcomes (PSAs, anyone), national PIs (NIs?), a benchmarking tool (league tables?), a knowledge hub sharing good practice (key lines of enquiry descriptors?), robust peer reviews (inspections?), and an ‘early warning system' (CPA?). This is not a criticism – it's just that however hard we all think about it, there are only a small number of tools in the performance and regulation toolkit. The quantity may change – for example, 10 national PIs rather than 190 – and those tools might be implemented more sensitively, but the architecture is little different, apart from the language used. But let us remember that these are the LGA's proposals – we have yet to see the proposals from the Government. I wrote at this time last year that we should beware the ‘creation of productivity measures and targets'. The rumour mill tells me that this project is already in train, led by HM Treasury. For those of us long enough in the tooth, we have seen this before, and know that it is a fool's errand. Precious energy will be lost trying to precisely specify comparative measures and then justify differences, rather than spent on improving services and driving down costs. Do we ever learn the lessons of history? Plus ca change plus c'est la meme chose methinks.

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WHITEHALL

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