BS1033 Local Government

1
BS1033 Local Government Continuity and Change

• 4. Modernising Local Government

2
BS1033 Local Government Continuity and
Change4Modernising Local Government

• Modernising Government is a prime aim of the
  incoming Labour Administration of 1997 (and
  2001).
• There are two principal sources of information-
  the most important being
• Modernising Local Government-In Touch with the
  People

3
BS1033 Local Government Continuity and Change
4Modernising Local Government

• Notice also the other series of consultation
  papers
• http//www.local.dtlr.gov.uk/finance/consult.htm
• which explore
• local democracy
• Improving Local Services through Best value
• 3 finance related papers (Capital,Business
  Rates, local financial accountability)

4
BS1033 Local Government Continuity and Change
4Modernising Local Government

• Modernising Local Government White paper
• documents the old political culture
• Low turnout
• Committee structure
• Antiquated voting procedures

5
BS1033 Local Government Continuity and Change
4Modernising Local Government

• Modernising Local Government White paper
• suggests new political structures
• Directly elected executive mayor with cabinet
• Cabinet with leader
• Directly elected mayor with a council manager

6
BS1033 Local Government Continuity and Change
4Modernising Local Government

• Whole intention is to
• Increase participation
• Make local government more accessible and
  responsive
• Improve local authority finance
• Increase (maintain) ethicality

7
BS1033 Local Government Continuity and Change
4Modernising Local Government

• Best Value needs to be understood as
• successor (partially) to CCT (Compulsory
  Competitive Tendering)
• conformance to Performance Indicators
• regime of Audit and Inspection

8
BS1033 Local Government Continuity and Change
4Modernising Local Government

• Promotion of well-being
• economic regeneration
• community leadership
• community planning

9
BS1033 Local Government Continuity and Change
4Modernising Local Government

• Is it working ?
• See report by Joseph Rowntree foundation
• http//www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/governmen
  t/419.asp