Local Government
Why It Matters
Following increasing empowerment of local government at the beginning of the last century, recent decades have seen an increasing trend towards central government control. The merit of this trend has been called into question by the Coalition Government, which has pledged to move power away from the centre and empower local communities through the concepts of the “Big Society” and “Localism”.
The Localism Act 2011 is the principal legislative vehicle for this policy, though the extent to which central government is truly willing and able to relinquish power remains the subject of extensive debate.
The Essentials
1.
Historically, local government has had two unusual characteristics: it was the only institution other than Parliament directly elected by the people and it was the only other institution which had the power to tax. This was a measure of the importance of local government. As the tier of government closest to the people, local government is, in theory, best able to understand and respond to the needs of the people.
2.
The functions and powers of local government are determined by statute. This means that the functions and powers local authorities have are determined by what central government thinks is appropriate.
3.
Local government in Britain is broadly a mixture of one and two-tiered systems: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all have unitary local authorities which carry out the majority of local government functions in their areas and have done so since the 1990s. England, however, remains a mixture of one and two-tier systems as reform has taken place on a piecemeal basis.
The Important Debates
What are the benefits and risks of increased power being devolved to local government?
Perceived Benefits
1. Greater citizen engagement:
- With democratic processes at both a local and national level.
- With the process of local governance and of public service delivery
2. Ideological motivation:
- Conservative commitment to a smaller state.
- Liberal emphasis on autonomy and self-determination.
3. Improved services:
- More dynamic, responsive public services.
- Engaging communities allows resources to be targeted where they are most needed.
- Utilising the “hidden wealth” of community resources.
4. Political benefit:
- Engaging the public in tough decisions arguably lessens any sense of resentment generated by the outcome.
5. Cost savings:
- Through creating a leaner central government.
- Through taking greater advantage of voluntary effort and improved links with commercial partners.
6. The current financial climate dictates spending cuts:
- Local government cannot afford the current level of service provision: Citizens may have to step into the gap.
Perceived Risks
1. Creating regional inequalities:
- Reduced government capability to plan strategically and allocate resources where they are most needed.
2. Fragmenting society:
- Encouraging citizens and community organisations to mobilise independently to find local solutions to service delivery issues.
- Commitments are by nature voluntary, episodic and driven by particular interests and passions: it cannot be centrally co-ordinated.
3. Lack of public demand:
- People do not have the time or the desire to engage, they want their councillor and the council to deliver for them.
- People lack the necessary understanding of complex issues.
- Councillors do not have the time, skills, or resources to support localism.
4. Reinforcing social inequalities:
- Groups in society without the resources to engage with public services will be disadvantaged – “The tyranny of the usual suspects”.
5. Increased costs:
- The cost of stimulating the market of community involvement and of supporting it may offset any savings that are realised through divestment of services and assets.
- Reduced possibility of maximising economies of scale
6. Political costs:
- Without devolution of accountability, politicians are liable to being held to account for the quality of services over which they have no control.
What does localism involve in practise?
Structural reform
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Increasing the operational autonomy of service provider organisations.
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Empowering communities to be more involved in delivering services.
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Empowering individuals to understand their personal contribution to and gain from public services.
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Changing models of ownership so that citizens and communities have a stake in the way a service is run.
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Improving the mechanisms of accountability at the local level.
Cultural reform
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Devolution of frameworks of accountability.
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Motivation of communities to take up devolved power; to take over services or assets rather than have the council deliver them.
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Establishment of a new culture of local democracy and social responsibility.
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Change in the role of service professionals; moving from simply providing a one-off service to a passive recipient to establishing a dynamic relationship with local communities.
1888
The Local Government Act 1888established county councils and county borough councils in England and Wales
1889
The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889 establish elected county councils in Scotland
1898
Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898
1921-73
From 1921 to 1973, Northern Ireland was divided into six administrative counties and two county boroughs.
1972
The 1972 Local Government Act introduced a two-tier system for England and Wales
1973
The current form of local government in Northern Ireland was established in 1973 by the Local Government (Boundaries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 and the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 1972.
1975
The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 created a system of regions and districts in 1975.
1977
1977 Homeless Act required local authorities to provide care for the homeless
1992
1992 Community Care Act required local authorities to provide care for all those who needed it
2000
The Local Government Act 2000 gave local governments a choice of three separate model arrangements
2011
The Localism Act 2011provisions with the aim of empowering local government
