In a TOWN HALL report published on March 8th The NAO (National Audit Office) doubts whether the Department (of Communities & Local Government), along with other departments with responsibility for local services, understands the impact of funding reductions on the financial and service sustainability of local authorities. We have to watch while we feel this in our pockets as it is played out in Surrey CC. The underlying governance comments as for the nhs can also be made but with the difference that the NHS is a recognisably stand alone organisation while local services are a mess organisationally at the centre. (UPDATE 7th April)