Meeting community needs

This paper analyses some of the fundamental issues of the management of local services which seek to meet the community's needs, The key political ideologies are summarized in order to explain different definitions of need, The concept of need is analysed and the distinction drawn between normative values and those determined personally, Any understanding of community needs inevitably engenders a focus can, and involvement of, the 'customer'. The degrees of customer participation are considered, Quality and partnership in service delivery are seen as essential. To deliver quality services which meet the ever-changing needs of the community, new forms of organization and management will be required.