Paul Wheeler 23 February 2007

PluggedIn

The whistle has gone for the latest round of unitary status bids in shire England. And at the risk of intruding into this complex discussion, I do want to ask a more general question on political governance.
Put simply, do we have too many elected councillors on too few elected institutions?
Across the rest of Europe, many of the major cities are run by a much smaller number of councillors. It’s not that they have fewer elected councillors, just that they are spread across a much broader range of elected institutions.
By the way, it’s not a question confined to local councils. Our House of Commons at 659 MPs – and shortly to rise again – is bigger than when we had an empire, and not much smaller than the combined House of Representatives and Senate for a country five times as large.
As always some of these discussions come round in fashion.
In the 1970s, during the last major re-organisation of English local government, there was discussion of the role and potential of what were then called ‘local or neighbourhood councils’.
Indeed, the esteemed Fabian Society wrote an excellent contribution to the debate (Local councils in metropolitan areas 1973).
Sadly, very little came of this debate, although one of the most successful community initiatives emerged from a local neighbourhood council initiative – the Coin Street redevelopment in central London and the Association of Waterloo Groups.
Several of the latest bids for unitary status have addressed this issue.
Both Cheshire and Cumbria County Councils have devoted considerable effort in their proposals for outlining how they would support neighbourhood governance and townships in their areas. Admirable proposals, but worrying that they are also proposing unitary councils of 100-plus elected members.
In the fog of competing bids, it is not easy to put forward new ideas on local governance, but we may be in danger of repeating the mistakes of previous reorganisations.
If unitary councils – existing and potential – rightly want to make a bid for more direction and influence over the wider public sector spend in their areas, then we have to think more clearly about how local concerns – specifically the greener, safer, cleaner agenda – can be delivered through a democratic framework.
Perhaps we should be looking for proposals which really empower local communities – using existing powers for precepts, clear and devolved powers, and separate elections – and more strategic political governance at the unitary level.
And by the way, it should involve London and our major cities too. n
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner