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<p>The power for a Secretary of State to require the Care Quality Commission to undertake
a special inspection of local authority commissioning of care services has already
been commenced.</p><p> </p><p>The Coalition Government has a strong record of reducing
top-down inspections of local government, reflecting commitments made in the Coalition
Agreement. Intervention in the activities of locally accountable councils should only
be considered where a last resort.</p><p> </p><p>I am not aware of any evidence that
would constitute the kinds of exceptional circumstances that would warrant deployment
of this power. Indeed it is arguable that local councils have been very effective
in procuring care services and local taxpayers will thank them for having kept care
costs under control.</p><p> </p><p>Even where there is evidence of poor commissioning
practice by particular councils, the Government expects councils collectively, through
the Local Government Association, to take the lead in improving poor performance.
The Association has developed a programme of peer support available to councils, which
includes mentoring and peer challenges.</p>
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