A model for the assessment of a development control department of a local authority

Abstract

This paper describes a testing instrument designed to evaluate a local government department - a tool for staff development and managerial assessment. Shah’s [1] criteria for determining a model local government in a developing country embody the values of the Municipal Systems Act of 2000 [2]. Shah’s criteria are legislative conformance, fiscal health, responsiveness, efficiency and accountability. A Local Authority’s Development Control Office was evaluated, using a questionnaire based on Shah’s criteria to obtain extensive information on staff perceptions and management improvements. The instrument and model developed from this data is transferable to multiple contexts for use in staff development and management enhancement of local authorities. [3]