Over recent years, changes in local government have been greater and faster than ever: elected mayors and cabinets, overview and scrutiny, Best Value, Comprehensive Performance Assessment, council tax capping and reform...the pace never slackens. The fourth edition of this leading local government textbook - comprehensively revised up to and including the 2006 local elections and subsequent ministerial reshuffle - evaluates these changes and provides an accessible and informed insight into Labour's third-term agenda.