In its report of last year on the Communities and Local Government's Departmental Annual Report 2007 (HC 170, session 2007-08, ISBN 9780215037978) the Committee commented on the particular nature of the Department's work: on its unusual reliance for the achievement of the goals Government has set it on a plethora of other Departments, agencies, non-departmental bodies, local authorities and other stakeholders; on the long, devolved delivery chains by which those goals therefore have to be delivered; and on the skills of influence, brokering and negotiation which are required to achieve them. In this Report the Committee assesses the progress made since last. The most recent Cabinet Office Capability Review concludes that there has been a positive "direction of travel" for CLG in that period, but the Committee concludes that there is still some way to go before CLG can be said to be performing at the highest achievable level of effectiveness. The Department's overall performance against its Public Service Agreement targets is likewise moving in the right direction but still short of full effectiveness. Achievement of efficiency targets is applauded. Finally, the report considers examples of particular policies which highlight some of the Department's strengths and weaknesses, and follow up some issues in earlier inquiries. These issues include: eco-towns; the Decent Homes programme; Home Information Packs; Fire Service response times; Firebuy; the FiReControl programme. The report also considers the Department's response to the serious flooding of summer 2007, and to the reviews which followed; and the mismanagement of European Regional Development Fund monies.

Dated May 2007

Dated May 2008

This is a revised version Cm 7614 which was withdrawn on 11th May 2009 and relaid before Parliament on 11th May 2009. Dated May 2009. Government response to the Communities and Local Government Committee's 2nd report, session 2008-09 (HC 238, ISBN 9780215526601)

Incorporating HC 1038-i-ii, session 2008-09. The DCLG departmental annual report 2009 was published as Cm. 7598 (ISBN 9780101759823)

Dated May 2007. Government reply to the Committee's 3rd report, HC 106, session 2006-07 (ISBN 9780215033055). The Departmental report 2008 published as Cm. 6816 (ISBN 9780101681629)

Dated March 2008. Government response to the Committee's 2nd report, HC 170, session 2007-08 (ISBN 9780215037978). The DCLG departmental annual report 2007 was published as Cm. 7094 (ISBN 9780101712026)