Doing the state's work for a fraction of the price

From last week's Third Sector:

The Directory of Social Change is planning to ask the Attorney General to stop local authorities setting up charities to deliver statutory services. In a landmark decision in February, the Charity Commission lifted its objections to two organisations created by councils in Trafford and Wigan becoming charities. They had been formed to deliver services such as libraries and cemeteries that the councils had a statutory duty to provide. But DSC believes such charities will not be genuinely independent. It wants to use provisions in the Charities Bill to challenge the decision.

It's probably better to read the whole thing.