This report from Communities and Local Government describes how the structural changes made by councils in 2000 to enhance executive decision-making has led to more visible and effective leadership, faster decision-making and better public services.Most authorities, 81 per cent, opted for the leader cabinet system, 3% for mayoral systems and the remaining 59 smaller authorities, 15 percent, chose to maintain streamlined committee systems in alternative arrangements authorities. 

There has been a call for the proposed new body taking over the regulation of health and adult social care services to ensure that it involves people who use care services and puts them at the centre of its work. The Commission for Social Care Inspection said it would be looking to the new Care Quality Commission to continue making progress in that area. 

Shortcomings in the way that population figures are estimated are causing problems for local councils, according to the Chairman of the Local Government Association, Sir Simon Milton.