This article evaluates the accountability of the strategic layer of Plymouth Health Action Zone (HAZ) and identifies conclusions with a wider application to partnership governance. The structures of Plymouth HAZ are assessed in the context of horizontal, vertical and downward models of accountability. The study finds fundamental weaknesses in the accountability regime. Vertical mechanisms are superficial and often inappropriate. The impact of horizontal accountability is marginalised through factors such as informal networks of dependency and a culture that discourages rigorous scrutiny. Downward accountability is addressed through the dissemination of information about achievements. In particular, the study highlights the difficulties of relying on local partners as the main mechanism of accountability. Plymouth HAZ is also evaluated in relation to political marketing and found to possess a sales-orientation.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Adams, L., Alcock, P. and Brown, G. (2002) Wakefield and District Health Action Zone: partnerships and learning, in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 85-94. Chichester : Aeneas Press.
2.
Ashworth, R. (2003) Toothless tigers? Councillor perceptions of new scrutiny arrangements in Welsh local government, Local Government Studies , 29(2), pp. 1-18.
3.
Asthana, S., Richardson, S. and Halliday, J. (2002) Partnership working in public policy provision: a framework for evaluation, Social Policy and Administration , 36(7), pp. 780-795.
4.
Bache, I. (2001) Different seeds in the same plot? Competing models of capitalism and the incomplete contracts of partnership design, Public Administration, 79(2), pp. 337-359.
5.
Barnes, M. and Sullivan, H. (2002) Building capacity for collaboration in English Health Action Zones, in: C. Glendinning, M. Powell and K. Rummery (Eds) Partnerships, New Labour and the Governance of Welfare, pp. 81-96. Bristol : The Policy Press.
6.
Barnes, M., Sullivan, H. and Matka, E. (2003) The development of collaborative capacity in health action zones: a final report from the national evaluation. Birmingham: University of Birmingham.
7.
Bauld, L. and Judge, K. (Eds) (2002a) Learning from Health Action Zones. Chichester: Aeneas Press.
8.
Bauld, L. and Judge, K. (2002b) The development of Health Action Zones, in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 1-13. Chichester : Aeneas Press.
9.
Beetham, D. and Weir, S. (1999) Auditing British democracy, The Political Quarterly, 70(2), pp. 128-138.
10.
Benyon, J. and Edwards, A. (1999) Community governance of crime control, in: G. Stoker (Ed.) The New Management of British Local Governance, pp. 145-167. London: Macmillan.
11.
Bhatti, S., Cuthbert, V. and Lunt, J. (2002) The pampering gang project, in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 251-262. Chichester : Aeneas Press.
12.
Boyne, G. and Cole, M.S. (1996) Fragmentation, concentration and local government structure: top-tier authorities in England and Wales, 1831-1996, Government and Policy, 14(4), pp. 501-514.
13.
Boyne, G. and Cole, M.S. (1998) Revolution, evolution and local government structure: an empirical analysis of London, UrbanStudies, 35(4), pp. 751-768.
14.
Bruce, A. and Mcconnell, A. (1996) Accountability in local government and the NHS , in: R. Pyper (Ed.) Aspects of Accountability in the British System of Government, pp. 119-157. Wirral : Tudor.
15.
Butt, R. (1969) The Power of Parliament. London : Constable.
16.
Castle, B. (1980) The Castle Diaries 1974-76. London: Book Club Associates.
17.
Clarke, C., Jones, D., Carr, S. ET AL. (2002) Tyne and Wear Health Action Zone evaluation: patterns of engagement and entrenchment. Newcastle : University of Northumbria.
18.
Clarke, J. and Glendinning, C. (2002) Partnership and the remaking of welfare governance , in: C. Glendinning, M. Powell and K. Rummery (Eds) Partnerships, New Labour and the Governance of Welfare , pp. 33-50. Bristol: The Policy Press.
19.
Cole, M.S. (1999) Accountability and quasi-government: the role of parliamentary questions, The Journal ofLegislative Studies , 5(1), pp. 77-101.
20.
Cole, M.S. (2000) Quangos: UK ministerial responsibility in theory and practice, Public Policy and Administration, 15(3), pp. 32-45.
21.
Cole, M.S. (2001) Executive and scrutiny reforms: the agenda and its impact at Devon County Council, Local Government Studies , 27(4), pp. 19-34.
22.
Cole, M.S. (2003a) The Health Action Zone initiative: lessons from Plymouth, Local Government Studies, 29(3), pp. 99-117.
23.
Cole, M.S. (2003b) Learning Communities report-HAZ: a project evaluation . Department of Sociology, University of Plymouth.
24.
Cole, M.S. (2004) Consultation in local government: a case study of practice at Devon County Council, Local Government Studies , 30(2), pp. 196-213.
25.
Considine, M. (2002) The end of the line? Accountable governance in the age of networks, partnerships and joined-up services, Governance, 15(1), pp. 21-40.
26.
Coppel, D. (2002) Learning from theory-driven evaluations across local Health Action Zone initiatives in Nottingham: using or losing?, in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 199-207. Chichester: Aeneas Press.
27.
Cotterill, L. (2002) Developing capacity for theory-based evaluation , in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 117-127. Chichester: Aeneas Press.
28.
Crawshaw, P., Bunton, R. and Gillen, K. (2002) Modernisation and Health Action Zones: the search for coherence, in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 221-230. Chichester: Aeneas Press.
29.
Dabbs, C. (2002) Taking the risk to blossom: the Salford Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 49-60. Chichester: Aeneas Press.
30.
Daly, G. and Davis, H. (2002) Partnerships for local governance: citizens, communities and accountability, in: C. Glendinning, M. Powell and K. Rummery (Eds) Partnerships, New Labour and the Governance of Welfare , pp. 97-112. Bristol: The Policy Press.
31.
Davies, J. (2001) Partnerships and Regimes. Aldershot : Ashgate.
32.
Davis, J. (1988) ReformingLondon. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
33.
Day, S. and Klein, R. (1987) Accountabilities: Five Public Services. London: Tavistock.
34.
Detr (Department OF THE ENVIRONMENT, TRANSPORT AND THE REGIONS) (1998a) 1998 Index of Local Deprivation (Regeneration Research Summary, No. 15). London: DETR.
35.
Detr (1998b) Modern local government: in touch with the people. London: The Stationery Office.
36.
Detr (1999) Single Regeneration Budget Round 5: Regional Framework for Yorkshire and the Humber. London: DETR.
37.
Dickson, M., Gewirtz, S., Halpin ET AL. (2002 ) Education Action Zones, in: C. Glendinning, M. Powell and K. Rummery (Eds) Partnerships, New Labour and the Governance of Welfare , pp. 183-198. Bristol: The Policy Press.
38.
Doh (Department of Health) (1997) The new NHS: modern, dependable. London: The Stationery Office.
39.
Doh (1998) Modernising social services. London: The Stationery Office.
40.
Doh (2000) The NHS plan. London: The Stationery Office.
41.
Dowding, K. (1995) Model or metaphor? A critical review of the policy network approach, Political Studies, 43(1), pp. 136-158.
42.
Dunleavy, P. (1980) Urban Political Analysis. London : Macmillan.
43.
Elcock, H. (1998) The changing problem of accountability in modern government: an analytical agenda for reformers, Public Policy and Administration, 13(3), pp. 23-37.
44.
Elcock, H. and Haywood, S. (1980) The buck stops where? Accountability and control in the National Health Service. Institute for Health Studies, University of Hull.
45.
Farrell, D. and Wortmann, M. (1987) Party strategies in the electoral market: political marketing in West Germany, Britain and Ireland, European Journal of Political Research, 15, pp. 297-318.
46.
Fearnley, R. (2000) Regenerating the inner city: lessons from the UK's City Challenge experience, Social Policy and Administration , 34(5), pp. 567-583.
47.
Finer, S. (1956) The individual responsibility of ministers, Public Administration, 34(4), pp. 377-396.
48.
Flinders, M. (2001) The Politics of Accountability in the Modern State . Aldershot: Ashgate.
49.
Franklin, B. (1994) Packaging Politics: Political Communications in Britain's Media Democracy. London: Edward Arnold.
50.
Halliday, J., Richardson, S. and Asthana, S. (2002) A role for Health Action Zones within local strategic partnerships: lessons from the South-West, in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 95-105. Chichester: Aeneas Press.
51.
Harrop, M. (1990) Political marketing, Parliamentary Affairs, 43(3), pp. 277-291.
52.
Hewart, Lord (1929) The New Despotism. London: Benn.
53.
Higgins, J. (1998) HAZs warning: the white paper debate, Health Service Journal, 16 April, pp. 24-25.
54.
Higgins, J., Deakin, N., Edwards, J. and Wicks, M. (1983) Government and Urban Poverty. Oxford: Blackwell.
55.
Hill, D. (1994) Citizens and Cities. Hemel Hempstead : Harvester Wheatsheaf.
56.
Hill, D. (2000) Urban Policy and Politics in Britain. London: Macmillan.
57.
Hood, C. and Schuppert, G. (Eds) (1988) Delivering Public Services in Western Europe. London: Sage .
58.
Hood, C., Scott, C., James, O. ET AL. (1999) Regulation Inside Government: Waste-watchers , Quality Police and Sleaze-busters. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
59.
Jennings, I. (1936) Cabinet GovernmentCambridge : Cambridge University Press.
60.
John, P. (1998) Analysing Public Policy. London : Pinter.
61.
Kane, B. (2002) Social capital, health and economy in South Yorkshire coalfield communities, in: L. Bauld andK. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 187-198. Chichester: Aeneas Press.
62.
Kassim, H. (1994) Policy networks, networks and European Union policy-making: a sceptical view, Western European Politics, 17(4), pp. 15-27.
63.
Kickert, W., Klijn, E. H. and Koppenjan, J. (Eds) ( 1997) Managing Complex Networks: Strategies for the Public Sector . London: Sage.
64.
King, A. (1998) Why Labour won-at last, in: A. KING, D. DENVER, I. McLEAN ET AL. New Labour Triumphs: Britain at the Polls, pp. 177-207. Chatham: Chatham House.
65.
Kotler, P. and Levy, S. (1969) Broadening the concept of marketing, Journal of Marketing,33(1), pp. 10-15.
66.
Labour Party (1997) New Labour: because Britain deserves better. London: Labour Party.
67.
Lees-Marshment, J. (2001) Political Marketing and British Political Parties: The Party's Just Begun. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
68.
Loughlin, M. (1996) Understanding central-local government relations , Public Policy and Administration, 11(2), pp. 48-65.
69.
Lovelock, C. and Weinberg, C. (1977) Public and Nonprofit Marketing: Cases and Readings . New York: Scientific Press.
70.
Low, S. (1904) The Governance of England. London: Unwin.
71.
Mackinnon, J. (2003) National evaluation of Health Action Zones: Merseyside HAZ—a case study: final report. Glasgow: University of Glasgow.
72.
Marsh, D. and Rhodes, R. (Eds) (1992a) Policy Networks in British Government. Oxford: Clarendon Press .
73.
Marsh, D. and Rhodes, R. (Eds) (1992b) Implementing Thatcherite Policies . Buckingham: Open University Press .
74.
Oatley, N. and Lambert, C. (1998) Catalyst for change: the City Challenge Initiative , in: N. Oatley (Ed.) Cities, Economic Competition and Urban Policy, pp. 109-126. London : Paul Chapman Publishing.
75.
Painter, C. and Clarence, E. (2001) UK Local Action Zones and changing urban governance, UrbanStudies, 38(8), pp. 1215-1232.
76.
Paton, C. (1999) New Labour's health policy: the new healthcare state, in: M. Powell (Ed.) New Labour, New Welfare State?, pp. 51-75. Bristol: The Policy Press.
77.
Paton, C. (2002) Cheques and checks: New Labour's record on the NHS, in: M. Powell (Ed.) Evaluating New Labour's Welfare Reforms, pp. 127-143. Bristol: The Policy Press.
78.
Pike, M. (2003) Can Do Citizens. London: Social Enterprise Services.
Powell, M. (Ed.) (2002) Evaluating New Labour's Welfare Reforms. Bristol: The Policy Press.
81.
Rhodes, J., Tyler, P. and Brennan. A. (2003) New developments in area-based initiatives in England: the experience of the Single Regeneration Budget, Urban Studies , 40(8), pp. 1399-1426.
82.
Rhodes, R. (1986) The National World of Local Government. London: Allen and Unwin.
83.
Rhodes, R. (1988) Beyond Westminster and Whitehall. London: Unwin Hyman.
84.
Rhodes, R. (1996) The new governance: governing without government , Political Studies, 44(4), pp. 652-667.
85.
Robinson, F., Shaw, K. ET AL. (2000) Who runs the North-East now?: a review and assessment of governance in North East England. Department of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Durham.
86.
Rodrigo, L. and Munton, R. (2002) Addressing inequalities in health: education and training as a catalyst for change and innovation, in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 273-284. Chichester: Aeneas Press.
87.
Rouse, J. and Smith, G. (1999) Accountability, in: M. Powell (Ed.) New Labour, New Welfare State?, pp. 235-255. Bristol: The Policy Press.
88.
Scott, A., Dowzer, C., POLLARD, J. Etal. (2002) South Yorkshire Coalfields: interim evaluation 1999-2002— Overview. Published on the South Yorkshire Coalfields HAZ website.
89.
Simon, E. (1926) A City Council from Within. London: Longman.
90.
Skelcher, C. (2000) Changing images of the state: overloaded, hollowed-out, congested, Public Policy and Administration, 15(3), pp. 3-19.
91.
Smith, B. and Hague, D. (Eds) (1971) The Dilemma of Accountability in Modern Government . London: Macmillan.
92.
Smith, M. (1993) Pressure, Power and Policy. Hemel Hempstead: Harvester Wheatsheaf.
93.
Smith, M. and Beazley, M. (2000) Progressive regimes, partnerships and the involvement of local communities: a framework for evaluation, Public Administration , 78(4), pp. 855-878.
94.
Stewart, J. (2003) Modernising British Local Government. London: Palgrave.
95.
Stoker, G. (1995) Regime theory and urban politics, in: D. Judge, G. Stoker and H. WoLman (Eds) Theories of Urban Politics, pp. 54-71. London: Sage.
96.
Stoker, G. (2004) Transforming Local Governance. London: Palgrave.
97.
Stoker, G. and MossBERGER, K. (1994) Urban regime theory in comparative perspective, Government and Policy, 12(2), pp. 195-212.
98.
Stone, C. (1993) Urban regimes and the capacity to govern: a political economy approach, Journal of Urban Affairs, 15, pp. 1-28.
99.
Sullivan, H. (2003) New forms of local accountability: coming to terms with 'many hands'?, Policy and Politics, 31(3), pp. 353-369.
100.
Sullivan, H. and Skelcher, C. (2002) Working across Boundaries: Collaboration in Public Services. Basingstoke: Palgrave .
101.
Sullivan, H., Barnes, M. and Matka, E. (2002) Building capacity for collaboration in English Health Action Zones, in: L. Bauld and K. Judge (Eds) Learning from Health Action Zones, pp. 17-26. Chichester: Aeneas Press.
102.
Tam, H. ( 1998) Communitarianism. London: Macmillan.
103.
Taylor, M. (2003) Public Policy in the Community. London: Palgrave.
104.
Waldegrave, W. (1978) The Binding of Leviathan. London : Hamish Hamilton.
105.
Weir, S. and Beetham, D. (1999) Political Power and Democratic Control in Britain: The Democratic Audit of the United Kingdom. London: Routledge.
106.
Weir, S. and Hall, W. (Eds) (1994) EGO trip. London: Charter 88 Trust.
107.
Wilson, D. and Game, C. (2002) Local Government in the United Kingdom, 3rd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
