The last mile of public action

PROGRAM The Council of State has chosen to dedicate its 2023 annual study to the “last mile of public action.” Through this study, it has sought to examine the effectiveness of public services, public policies, and public action in general. Do they still manage to reach the intended recipients (users, businesses, associations, local authorities, etc.) they have set out to serve?
To answer this question, the Council of State drew not only on its experience as an administrative judge and legal advisor to the Government and Parliament, but also conducted fieldwork to “see through the eyes” of those who specifically benefit or should benefit from public action. Its “Tour de France” took its members to the Hérault department in April 2023. A few months later, they felt it was important to return to report the results of this study to those working on the ground.
What are the key takeaways from this annual study? What proposals does the Council of State put forward to improve the effectiveness of public action?
Martine de Boisdeffre, Chair of the Council of State’s Reports and Studies Section; Fabien Raynaud, Vice Chair of the Reports and Studies Section and General Rapporteur; and Mélanie Villiers, Deputy General Rapporteur for the study, will be pleased to present the results of their work and discuss the study’s findings and proposals with you.