This article discusses the issues arising from the corporate ownership and
management of anti-poverty activity in local authorities in Britain ill rit
e 1990s. It is based upon action research carried out in a sample of author
ities as part of a pi-eject to develop and implement tools for the monitori
ng and evaluation of anti-poverty, activity, and developed in collaboration
with the Local Government Anti-Poverty Unit. Issues identified in connecti
on with corporate management include: structural location, democratic contr
ol, political leadership, documentation of commitments, financial support,
definition and measurement, and consultation and feedback, Evidence good pr
actice is identified and summarised.