Never before has local government been under such intense public scrutiny. External audit, formal inspection, challenge and review are coupled with an increased awareness of residents taking a keen interest in performance and use of resources.

Last autumn, South Tyneside MBC underwent three external inspections and reviews simultaneously: the Local Government Association (LGA) corporate peer challenge, Ofsted inspection of children's services and Care Quality Commission (CQC) thematic review of mental health services for children and young people.