FOCUS: LOCAL GOVERNMENT - Giving the best value to residents/The Government has chosen 37 councils to take part in a pilot scheme to improve service through resident dialogue but even those not taking part have realised the value of improved communication

According to MORI research, less than three per cent of the British public can name a councillor across any local government authority, and only 12 per cent ever meet one. Councils appear to have lost touch with their audiences, and residents are left wondering what difference their votes will make.