Tag: Local Government
Austerity is in serious danger of sending the role of councillor into a slide towards irrelevance
The local government sector has seen unprecedented cuts since the 2010 General Election. With the Conservatives back in power again following 2015, austerity can be expected to continue. Neil Barnett argues that these cuts, as well as other long-term trends such as managerialism and de-politicisation have combined to gradually undermine the role of the councillor. Similar PostsThe […]
Rigid statutory demands, budget cuts, and lack of political choice are strangling local government innovation
Local Authorities have been having a difficult ride since the formation of the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition in May 2010. As it potentially draws to a close, Cllr Tim Cheetham argues that the rigidity of statutoury guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government, cuts to Local Authority budgets, and a stifling lack of political […]
Straitjacketing the state: Local and national governments have lost power over specific areas of public service governance to Brussels
When it comes to public service delivery, Europeanisation is becoming a ‘ball and chain’ for domestic policy-makers, argues Judith Clifton. She claims that the EU has, gradually and subtly, created an ever more important layer of governance over how public services can be delivered, effectively straightjacketing the state. Similar PostsThe future for Local Government in England […]
The Kerslake Review has shone a light on the deeply dysfunctional nature of Birmingham local government
The former Head of the Civil Service Sir Bob Kerslake recently published a government commissioned report into the governance of Birmingham City Council, and was withering about its shortcomings. Pauline Geohegan argues that the report simply confirms what was already widely known: that the city is disfunctionally run, and that its time for a big […]
The future for Local Government in England could be bright, provided that it’s accountable
The mood inside local government is currently bleak, with worries about funding and demographic change chief amongst the sector’s concerns. Jessica Crowe of the Centre for Public Scrutiny argues that the future for local authorities can be bright, provided that its leaders are willing to take steps to create a more accountable future. If I was feeling more pessimistic, […]
The best of Democratic Audit’s 2014 coverage of local, regional, and sub-national government
This year, the Scottish independence set in motion a chain of events which may, or may not, lead to greater powers at the sub-national level for the English regions, and city areas. Here are some of the best articles that Democratic Audit has carried in 2014 which deal with local, regional, and sub-national government. Similar PostsEvolution or […]
If implemented in full, the Smith Commission report will provide Scotland with a welcome range of new powers
The Smith Commission which looked at future options for the governance of Scotland in the post referendum landscape. Norman Bonney assesses the document, looking at its proposals on local governance, Air Passenger Duty, the continuing UK framework, and the new respective roles of the Scottish Parliament and Government, concluding that the range of powers offered are […]
The Tower Hamlets affair is a sad indictment of British local democracy
The Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles recent appointed commissioners to assist in the running of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets following the publication of a PwC ‘Best Value’ report. Chris Game argues that the affair shows the weakness of English local government and ignores the wishes of Tower Hamlets’ residents. Similar PostsThe PwC […]
The PwC report on Tower Hamlets highlights fundamental tensions in local democracy, not always thought through clearly in new mayoral systems
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government recently appointed commissioners to run the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, following the publication of a Government-commissioned PWC report which was damning about the failings of the current adminstration, led by Mayor Lutfur Rahman. Michael Keith, a former Leader of the Council, argues that the affair […]
The cuts in local government funding have had a significant impact on London’s most deprived communities
How has the significant cuts to local authority funding affected front-line services? There had undoubtedly been enormous strain on services and front-line staff, with councils have argued that the limits to efficiency have been reached. Amanda Fitzgerald presents findings from a new report for the Trust for London into the most deprived communities in London. Similar […]
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