Housing management in three metropolitan local authorities: The impact of CCT and implications for best value

This article evaluates the impact of compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) for housing management services in three local authorities, examining the extent of any organisational changes and improvements in effectiveness of s ervice provision under the compulsory regime. Despite similarities in respe ct of tendering procedures, the formal appearance of contractual relationsh ips and the choice of in-house rather than private providers, there were si gnificant differences in the responses to CCT that can only be explained by reference to cultural, political and organisational factors in the local a uthority environments. The main conclusion is that such varied responses we re inevitable in spite of the detailed prescriptions and tight constraints of CCT The regulation of housing management under Best Value should, in ord er to be effective, respect such diversity and encourage flexibility in fin ding solutions to service delivery problems.