In recent years strategic planning and management have experienced a renaissance in local government. Focusing on practical and realistic concerns, this book explains the reasons behind this revival and will help you understand the origins and theory of corporate strategy in local government. It will enable you to: * understand the qualities and purposes of 'mission statements, and 'strategic visions, * develop strategic initiatives in organisational climates which may be hostile * link corporate strategies to the budget * identify appropriate organisational machinery for developing and implementing strategy * implement strategy in partnership with other agencies * assess strategic effectiveness * gain political commitment to strategies Strategic Planning and Management in Local Government is part of the Managing Local Government Series which is published in association with the Institute of Local Government Studies (INLOGOV) at the School of Public Policy, University of Birmingham.