Local Government Reorganisation
Discussion
The Government has announced reorganisation which seems to consist of two things
1- two tier authorities should merge into single tier authorities
2 - if you choose to have a Mayor you will have access to more freedom/funding
What I find odd is that rather than wasting 3 years awaiting for Councils to come up with what they want to do, why don't they just draw up maps of Councils and force everyone to have a Major. Although they seem to like Mayors, there is no force to have one. So we will still lend up with very different types of local government.
1- two tier authorities should merge into single tier authorities
2 - if you choose to have a Mayor you will have access to more freedom/funding
What I find odd is that rather than wasting 3 years awaiting for Councils to come up with what they want to do, why don't they just draw up maps of Councils and force everyone to have a Major. Although they seem to like Mayors, there is no force to have one. So we will still lend up with very different types of local government.
Edited by Mojooo on Monday 16th December 21:36
More freedom to impose local charges and taxes, What ever happens it isn't going to be cheaper for the taxpayers.
The whole system is rotten and they forgot long ago that their remit is to administer what the public needs, not act like they are a business and run a virtual dictatorship.
The whole system is rotten and they forgot long ago that their remit is to administer what the public needs, not act like they are a business and run a virtual dictatorship.
I fully expect this thread to end up like the daily mail comments column. I see the post above mine has already started the descent.
I have worked through one round of attempted mergers under Prescott. Ultimately, local government needs way more funding "as is", given costs climb faster than council tax can increase.
I don't see a good case why a mayor is needed to "unlock" funding that should already be heading towards local government. If there is evidence that a mayor can genuinely raise performance and/or reduce costs on a lime for like basis (ie no extra funding or powers) then I have yet to hear about it.
Local decision making is pretty meaningless though given central government's control (especially considering the imminent changes to planning).
Ultimately consultants can make any number stick that they want to, but my takeaway is any marginal saving made will both be very time consuming to deliver, will be quickly swallowed up by demand increases, and will take a huge amount of political effort to deliver at a time when central and local government should really be focusing on the more important problems.
I think like Brexit this will be a "gut feel" opinion rather than one based on actual evidence.
I have worked through one round of attempted mergers under Prescott. Ultimately, local government needs way more funding "as is", given costs climb faster than council tax can increase.
I don't see a good case why a mayor is needed to "unlock" funding that should already be heading towards local government. If there is evidence that a mayor can genuinely raise performance and/or reduce costs on a lime for like basis (ie no extra funding or powers) then I have yet to hear about it.
Local decision making is pretty meaningless though given central government's control (especially considering the imminent changes to planning).
Ultimately consultants can make any number stick that they want to, but my takeaway is any marginal saving made will both be very time consuming to deliver, will be quickly swallowed up by demand increases, and will take a huge amount of political effort to deliver at a time when central and local government should really be focusing on the more important problems.
I think like Brexit this will be a "gut feel" opinion rather than one based on actual evidence.
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