Alternative delivery models for strategic and regulatory services such as planning, development control, regeneration, highway strategy, environmental health, trading standards, licensing and legal and democratic services are now on the agenda not just due to budgetary pressures but also increasing citizens' expectations. The delivery of these functions by entities external to the council raises some interesting and subtle questions commercially, legally and politically which Helen Randall examines.

There is now a variety of delivery options ranging from shared services, joint ventures, mutuals to outsourcing. No 'one size fits all'. The type of model will depend on the service, the council's policy objectives, the aspirations of professionals within the service and market conditions.