Back in the 1980s and from the onset of compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) onwards, drives towards extensive outsourcing, championed by successive governments under the New Public Management framework, were initially heralded as a means to deliver cost savings and innovation.

However, this approach has resulted in a substantial erosion of local administrative and managerial control over the delivery of services. The transition from public to private management of services has brought about fragmented oversight structures and reduced direct accountability.