A RAFT of measures was unveiled last week to help councils deliver better and cheaper services to people in Somerset.
The new Business Improvement Package urges local authorities to reduce waste, improve consistency of services and improve relations with residents through innovative new schemes.
Examples include allowing parents to register their children with schools online, which has proved a huge success in one London borough.
Local government minister Phil Woolas, who launched the package, said: "In order to deliver the transformed services and value for money that communities want, local authority leaders will have to challenge traditional methods of delivery.
"Our experience this year with putting schools admissions online suggests that there is a significant public appetite for greater choice in the way that local services are delivered."
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