Whether it intends to introduce legislation to support the maintenance of the moratorium on compulsory competitive tendering.

Yes.Annually the Executive has repeated its commitment to continue a moratorium on Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT) in local government until we are ready to introduce legislation to provide a statutory Best Value regime. We are still considering the detail of such legislation, and to date have published two consultation papers on its various aspects: Best Value: next steps, laid before Parliament in June last year, and A Power of Community Initiative etc, laid before Parliament last November.I have now been advised that one of the provisions which support the moratorium
- section 2(10) of the Local Government Act 1988
- needs amendment to enable the full moratorium to continue until we are ready to introduce legislative proposals on Best Value.Unless the amendment is made CCT will be imposed on 1 January 2002 on the following activities: the collection of refuse, the cleaning of buildings and other cleaning, catering for purposes of schools and welfare and other catering, the management of sports and leisure facilities, maintenance of ground and the repair and maintenance of vehicles.Such a development would involve substantial costs for local authorities and disrupt the development of Best Value.I would therefore like to announce the Executive's intention shortly to introduce a small Bill which will amend the Local Government Act 1988 and remove this deadline. We propose to introduce this Bill as early as possible during this parliamentary year. The Executive's longer term plans remain to repeal CCT as part of the new statutory regime for local authorities based on a duty of Best Value.