Two-tier battle resumes
Author: Local Government Chronicle - Aug 6, 2009
Civil servants are preparing a fresh assault on the two-tier system as the crisis in the public finances forces mandarins to seek savings through any possible means.
In a move that could be seen as preparing the ground for further reorganisation, LGC has learnt the Department for Communities & Local Government held a private meeting in July with a select group of senior officers and members to discuss alternatives to current two-tier working arrangements.
Paul Rowsell, DCLG’s deputy director for local democracy, convened the meeting during the Local Government Association annual conference.
Council leaders and chief executives were asked for “ideas on how to move this agenda forward”.
LGC understands invitations to the session were initially sent only to county council figures before being extended to district representatives at the last minute. Around 50 people are thought to have attended.
According to a discussion paper circulated before the meeting, the department has concluded progress in two-tier pathfinder areas has been “somewhat slower than anticipated” with “no real across the board progress made” due to the “inherent political fragility” of enhanced two-tier working.
With the nine new unitary councils seen to be “well on track” to deliver more than £100m annual savings, the department has thrown down the gauntlet for two-tier areas to show how they can “realise the same outcomes without the need for structural change”.
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