Housing Management in Three Metropolitan Local Authorities: The Impact of CCT and Implications for Best Value

Abstract

This article evaluates the impact of compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) for housing management services in three local authorities, examining the extent of any organisational changes and improvements in effectiveness of service provision under the compulsory regime. Despite similarities in respect of tendering procedures, the formal appearance of contractual relationships and the choice of in-house rather than private providers, there were significant differences in the responses to CCT that can only be explained by reference to cultural, political and organisational factors in the local authority environments. The main conclusion is that such varied responses were inevitable in spite of the detailed prescriptions and tight constraints of CCT. The regulation of housing management under Best Value should, in order to be effective, respect such diversity and encourage flexibility in finding solutions to service delivery problems.

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