Devolution beyond local government
This project is about involving citizens more extensively in the decision making process in local areas. The ultimate aim is to strengthen the decision making of the Council, and also to strengthen the voice of the individual in shaping the kind of place that people want to live. Transparency of information is at the heart of this project, as is providing opportunities for residents to be involved in local affairs. The use of an accessible and meaningful language will be crucial so as not to turn off local people. In an age of Wikipedia, Google and social networking sites, now is the time to debate about how to strengthen the relationship between local government and residents.
27 Articles
Plugged In [, Mar 31, 2011]
For many people, mention of parish councils leads inexorably, if unfairly, to thoughts of The Vicar of Dibley.
Enabling Communities [, Mar 8, 2011]
The four contributors to this month’s Localis Policy Platform offer their views on how local authorities can support the process of community empowerment which lies at the core of the Big Society.
Council Tax Conundrum [, Jul 30, 2010]
Greater direct accountability and community involvement is key to providing services that are efficient and focused on the needs and priorities of service users. But there are challenges with this approach too.
Spikes Cavell: Transparent Councils [, Jul 12, 2010]
Providing full disclosure of public spending, in a format that is focused on the citizen, is a crucial first step in ensuring local government is accountable to local residents. Spikes Cavell has created a platform that allows data to be published on-line in a clear, standardised and comparable for
In Your Hands [, Mar 12, 2010]
In this edition of Policy Platform we discuss the benefits and challenges of moving towards such a system, with more employees and service users taking control of public services.
Call to axe services programme [, Feb 2, 2010]
The Government could save billions of pounds by scrapping a flagship programme to assess and publicise the performance of local services, a think-tank report said.
Save billions by scrapping CAA [, Feb 2, 2010]
The Government could save billions of pounds by scrapping a flagship programme to assess and publicise the performance of local services, a think-tank report said today
Call to axe services programme [, Feb 2, 2010]
The Government could save billions of pounds by scrapping a flagship programme to assess and publicise the performance of local services, a think-tank report said
Call to axe services programme [, Feb 2, 2010]
The Government could save billions of pounds by scrapping a flagship programme to assess and publicise the performance of local services, a think-tank report said
Targets 'distort' local services, report claims [, Feb 2, 2010]
A report from the think tank Localis says that compliance with the Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA) costs £2bn a year and has called for the system to be scrapped
For Good Measure [, Feb 2, 2010]
With a foreword by Sir Simon Jenkins, this is a report outlining the case for the accountability of performance and assessment of local government to be devolved to local government and local people.
Using technology to improve local accountability [, Feb 2, 2010]
This is a note following a roundtable discussion hosted by Localis and Votivation looking into how the internet and technology can be utilised to improve local accountability and to involve citizens in decision making.David Hunter, Chairman of Votivation, introduced and concluded the session, with a
Using technology to improve local accountability [, Dec 7, 2009]
Localis and Votivation hosted a roundtable discussion focussing on how the internet and technology can be utilised to improve local accountability and to involve citizens in decision making
The Oldham Youth Mayor [, Jul 28, 2009]
This project is designed to involve young people in the decision making process of the Council and to create a positive role model for the Council. It also presents and opportunity to promote cohesion amongst young people from different communities. It costs almost nothing to do and has many potenti
Should we force Councils to hold referenda? [, Jul 25, 2009]
The think tank Localis have produced a paper on the theme Revitalising Local Democracy: Ideas for improving turnout and participation. I contributed a piece (not with a big idea but a shopping list of small ideas), as did Ken Richie, Chief Executive of the Electoral Reform Society. But I was most st
Revitalising Local Democracy [, Jul 24, 2009]
Voter turnout at local and national elections is consistently low, and falls far behind most other Western countries. But why is this? This edition of Policy Platform aims to explore this question and to understand what may be required to re-engage people in a political process which increasingly la
Revitalising Local Democracy [, Jul 24, 2009]
Voter turnout at local and national elections is consistently low, and falls far behind most other Western countries. But why is this? This edition of Policy Platform aims to explore this question and to understand what may be required to re-engage people in a political process which increasingly la
Localis thoughts on the local election [, Jun 5, 2009]
Perhaps the clear winner of the recent political chaos and the elections is localism. In the past week or two, we have seen politicians from all three major parties advocating the need for greater devolution of power away from central government.
Mind Your Language [, Jun 4, 2009]
We now need to leave the era of ‘value-added community engagement’ and ‘predictors of beaconicity’ behind, and move forward with a new language that actually reflects the country we live in.
Don't rename schools [, May 15, 2009]
Our latest Policy Platform, on making language more accesible is assessed
How can we make local and central government language more accessible? [, May 14, 2009]
We must take back our language and, in doing so, make democracy more accessible and accountable. Instead of wearing our Crystal Mark with pride on major documents we should write and speak simply and clearly.
How can we make local and central government language more accessible? [, May 14, 2009]
We must take back our language and, in doing so, make democracy more accessible and accountable. Instead of wearing our Crystal Mark with pride on major documents we should write and speak simply and clearly.
Different language podcasts on Council websites [, Apr 1, 2009]
Podcasts were made available on the corporate website in a number of different languages. The audio format is more accessible than written format, and it provides the potential for significant cost savings
The Right Language for Conservative Local Government [, Feb 28, 2009]
We held an event during the CCA Conference in Oulton Hall, Leeds looking into improving the language used by local government
Go Beyond Talking [, Dec 18, 2008]
James Morris explains the importance of the need for a more widespread use of information sharing throughout local government and the public sector.
Mind your language [, Nov 25, 2008]
Hammersmith and Fulham Council leader Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh says it's not enough to banish banal left wing jargon.
Information, Information, Information [, Oct 15, 2008]
This research note by Localis examines ways to create a more effective ‘freedom of information’ for local areas by looking at both how public bodies such as local authorities can release more information, but also how the data itself can be improved to make it more amenable to the public and to thos
Related Local Government News Articles
19 Related Local Government News Articles
MPs gather to debate ‘radical’ Localism Bill [, Jan 18, 2011]
The government’s flagship Localism Bill will receive its first dose of parliamentary scrutiny this afternoon when MPs debate the details.
Pilots pave way for community-based budgets [, Sep 30, 2010]
Four councils have been testing the potential of so-called community-based budgets as part of a pilot programme being spearheaded by the coalition’s Big Society adviser Lord Wei, LGC has learned.
What happened to the Big Society? It was killed by proximity to power [, May 14, 2010]
Hold on. Whatever happened to the Big Society? At this week's coalition marriage, the small society was much in evidence. Westminster's village green was awash with buddies, back-slapping and in-jokes. David Cameron and Nick Clegg confessed that general electioneering was fake-wrestling for the pleb
Promise to create 'neighbourhood army' [, Mar 31, 2010]
David Cameron is pledging that a Conservative government would train a 5,000 strong "neighbourhood army" to set up community groups, based on an idea from the U.S.
Phone box becomes mini-library [, Nov 30, 2009]
Village that was set to lose its traditional red phone box and library service comes up with plan to save both. Why not buy the phone box and use it to set up a mini-library?
The jargon-laden language of politics [, Nov 30, 2009]
MPs on a Commons committee today criticise politicians and civil servants for their poor command of the English language. The misleading and vague official language epitomised by Sir Humphrey Appleby in Yes Minister has a detrimental impact on democracy and public services, MPs on the public adminis
Swindon to become first UK wi-fi town [, Nov 18, 2009]
Until yesterday Swindon was stuck squarely between Bristol and Reading on the M4 corridor in Wiltshire. Now it has moved one step closer to Silicon Valley with plans to become Britain’s first wi-fi town, and free internet access for its 186,000-strong population.
Re-mapping the future for Ordnance Survey [, Nov 17, 2009]
The Government will consult on proposals to make data from Ordnance Survey freely available so it can be used for digital innovation and to support democratic accountability.
UK signs up to local democracy agreement [, Nov 17, 2009]
The new protocol to the Charter of Local Self-Government was agreed by Ministers from across Europe at a Conference in Utrecht yesterday. It sets out that citizens in States across the Continent should be engaged at every stage in local affairs from voting in their elected representatives to being c
Straw 'unable' to stop vote changes [, Sep 18, 2009]
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has spoken out against some councils’ plans to delay election counts until the following morning, but conceded that he has no authority to block the proposals.
Let the people decide: Allow local referenda [, Aug 13, 2009]
Currently, the Electoral Commission has the power to run referenda on national and regional issues along side national, local and European elections. However, there is no similar power at local level
Police chiefs ridiculed over `gobbledegook' [, Jul 3, 2009]
Police chiefs have been ridiculed for "inexcusable gobbledegook" for writing a 102-word sentence which "defies understanding. The comment, from the Association of Chief Police Officers, was so ridiculous it has now been put forward for the Golden Bull awards run by the Plain English Campaign.
Tory triumph as Labour suffers wipeout [, Jun 5, 2009]
Humiliating defeats have been confirmed for Labour in the party’s last four county council strongholds, on a day of triumph for the Conservatives. The Tories won landslide victories in Lancashire and Staffordshire, a closer win in Derbyshire and took Nottinghamshire into no overall control.
Ten local election results to watch [, Jun 4, 2009]
With County Council elections today, David Boothroyd, Head of Research at Inidigo Public Affairs, writes on 10 Local Authorities worth keeping an eye on
Draft Empowerment Bill scrapped [, May 11, 2009]
DCLG announces that Empowerment White Paper is to be scrapped, and policies such as legislating to allow remote voting and creating incentives to vote have now been dropped.
Local Papers are vital for local democracy [, Apr 27, 2009]
All news starts off local and that without reporters dropping into court cases, pestering NHS managers, badgering local bobbies and sitting through an inquest, democracy and accountability in Britain would not be possible.
Taxpayers to rate local services [, Apr 14, 2009]
Taxpayers will be able to rate the performance of schools, nurseries and the police under a planned shake-up of public services, in proposals that it is claimed were 'buried' on the Cabinet Office's website.
Council chiefs to reveal pay deals [, Feb 27, 2009]
Councils will be forced to reveal the pay packages of their chief executives following concern at spiralling salaries.
Council leader aims to ban jargon [, Dec 29, 2008]
Words such as "cross fertilisation" and "incentivising" are baffling town hall jargon and should be banned according to one council leader.
News
Publications
Events
Shifting from acute to primary and community care
by Paul Carter, Local Government Chronicle
How can we find the funding for infrastructure in 2012?
by Alex Thomson, Localis (in The Guardian, Local Government Network)
Is the Localism Act a lawyers' charter?
by Michael Burton, The MJ
Local government's role in healthcare
by Alex Thomson, Localis (in The Guardian, Healthcare Network)
A New Era for Council Housing?
Posted in Planning, Housing and Economic Development
The Big Green Society
Posted in Reform and Personalisation of Public Services
Power to the People
Posted in Planning, Housing and Economic Development
Commission Impossible?
Posted in Reform and Personalisation of Public Services
Redesigning Local Services Conference
[Mar 29, 2012]
‘Blue Labour and the Politics of Place’
[Feb 9, 2012]
Roundtable: The Future of the Coalition Government’s Education Policy
[Jan 24, 2012]
Roundtable: What makes shared management initiatives work
[Jan 4, 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
