Councillors ‘yet to engage’
Author: Local Government Chronicle - Nov 12, 2009
Concern is growing that councillors are failing to engage fully in the Total Place programme, leading to a lack of democratic input into the public spending debate.
The programme is looking at how a ‘whole area’ approach to public services can lead to improvements at less cost.
With the 13 pilot areas due to present interim suggestions for service rationalisation to the government in February, fear has been expressed that the biggest spending cuts for a generation could be devised without full political input.
At a seminar organised by London Councils, local government minister Rosie Winterton flagged up the importance of Total Place not becoming a purely technocratic exercise.
She said: "There are technical changes that we can bring in, but it requires political will with a small ‘p’ to make it happen."
Rosie Winterton was backed up by George Jones, emeritus professor of government at the London School of Economics.
He said: "We should not leave Total Place to officers. This is not just a technical exercise, it is a highly political exercise that goes to the heart of what is wrong with our centralised system."
Richard Kemp (Lib Dem), the Local Government Association’s deputy chair, said: "A lot of Total Place is seen as officer-led and complex, but this perception is very sad.
"Officers do technical things without the vision and direction that councillors with political and community knowledge give to the debate. Because of that you will get a much more restricted set of options unless members are involved."
Related Pages
Amber light for local control of rail
Metropolitan councils seek control over trains
Regeneration in practice: lessons from across the pond
by By Alex Thomson, The Guardian - Local Government Network
Breathing new life into regeneration
by Alex Thomson, The MJ
Let the local authority clamour for more devolved power begin
by Steven Howell (in the Guardian, Public Leaders Network)
Local regeneration is about economic and social wellbeing
by Alex Thomson (in the Guardian, Local Government Network)
Crossing the border
Posted in Structures, Collaborations and Working Across Borders
What can elected mayors do for our cities?
Posted in Local Government Management and Organisation
Credit Where Credit's Due
Posted in Local Government Finance
A New Era for Council Housing?
Posted in Planning, Housing and Economic Development
Pensions: Infrastructure Investment Conference
[Jun 26, 2012]
Report Launch: Grow Your Own Way
[May 23, 2012]
Report Launch: Credit Where Credit's Due
[Mar 5, 2012]
Blue Labour and the Politics of Place
[Feb 9, 2012]
- "Localis is fast gaining a reputation for pre-empting the localist agenda, producing thought provoking research and practical policy ideas"Anthony Seldon, author and political commentator
- "Localis’ commitment to decentralisation crosses party boundaries, and their research illuminates policy problems with new practical thinking"Prof George Jones, LSE
- "Localis offers a great blend of a passion for innovation, grounded practical ideas and unswerving belief in the possibilities of local governance"Derek Myers, Chief Executive, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
