This is more than just a bureaucratic setback; it is a wake-up call about the risks of fragmented leadership and unbalanced partnerships.
One force can complete vetting of officers in two months, while another can take up to eight months. In Bedfordshire, we are part of a closer Tri-Force collaboration with Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
Work is under way in Bedfordshire to ensure a common local framework on absenteeism which is to include engagement with the child.
We may need to move towards a mandatory minimum sentence to send a clearer message.
This weakening of local accountability makes it all the more important for Conservatives to offer voters a clear alternative.
Collaboration between police and fire services will include the sharing of stations.
The NHS which has seen its productivity collapse, and is facing enormous cost pressures as the population ages, must surely be first in line for the application of the tools as they emerge.