By Brian Gosschalk Reproduced by permission of the Public Management and Policy Association. Measuring the satisfaction of citizens with public services is an inexact science. Brian Gosschalk, Chief Executive of MORI, analyses the conflicting picture from attitude surveys. He concludes that because perception rather than reality determines public reaction, communicating success is crucially important.

Scottish local councils should continue to deliver flood prevention and fulfill coast protection duties, but a report says strategic support needs to be improved and full funding must be provided to allow them to carry out the tasks properly. It also urges the Scottish Parliament to confirm that responsibility for existing Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems lies with Scottish Water.The recommendations are made in the final report from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ Flooding Task Group. Other key suggestions are that the Scottish Executive should take a proactive strategic leadership role in flooding issues to support and work in partnership with local authorities and other bodies.

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The eight poorest performing local councils, which together pay out almost 200 million pounds a year in housing benefits, are to be examined by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate. The Housing Benefit Minister, Malcolm Wicks said he had asked for the councils to be inspected because, where authorities performed badly, it was the most vulnerable people in society who suffered and faced financial strains.The next programme of inspections will also include the benefit administration and counter-fraud activity at Barking and Dagenham, Bury, Isle of Wight, Knowsley, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Swindon, and Wokingham councils. The  Inspectorate will also offer specialist advice as part of its Performance Improvement Action Team programme to a further nine poorly performing authorities.

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