A survey of 200 senior policy staff in local government indicates many authorities have made little progress on deciding on their new political management structures.While English councils are required to submit their proposals on new structures by June 2001, the independent survey, funded and conducted by ORC International’s public sector division, found that 55% of authorities have yet to make a decision on the shape of their new political management structures. 

A major package to encourage more people to get involved in their communities has been heralded by Chancellor Gordon Brown as the start of a transformation in relationship between the state and the voluntary sector.The Government has almost doubled its commitment to this sector, in announcements of allocations arising from the 2001-2004 Spending Review.