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We must continue to make that point while saying that the best answer is to make the system less significant by letting local authorities raise more of their own money.
I do not consider that such specification is necessary in the bill, and believe that that can best be dealt with in guidance through the new commission.
Do you wish to make an introductory statement or would you rather move straight into questions? Whatever would make best use of the committee's time. I could certainly make some opening remarks.
There will be further developments with regard to best value, which the Minister for Finance and Local Government will announce in due course.People forget that best value is not just about cost; it is also about quality.
On the one hand, community engagement is central to best value. We have to ask what local people want from services, how services can best be delivered and whether best value is working in practice.
Such distinctions are sometimes important. With the best will in the world, ministers cannot fix systemic issues relating to what others are doing to collect data on their behalf.