Local Government In Great Britain Research Articles

Policy & Politics: a perspective on the first half century

For 50 years Policy & Politics, under the stewardship of some 19 editors, has engaged with key issues at the interface between public policy, social policy and politics. The journal has published scholarship that has shaped a broad range of debates across disciplines and has built a valued and vibrant community of authors and readers who are integral to what the journal is today. This brief editorial provides a perspective on the journal’s evolution from its origins focusing on local government in Great Britain to its current engagement with an inclusive, pluralist and global policy agenda.

Nowa ustawa o ubogich 1834 roku jako podstawa nowoczesnego systemu samorządu lokalnego w Wielkiej Brytanii

The paper is devoted to considerations on the new Poor Law 1834 as the basis of the modern local government system in Great Britain. On the basis of the analysis of the reasons for the adoption of the Law it is determined, in particular, that the beginning of reforms in local governance should be sought in the 1832 electoral reform. The main innovations of the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834, and especially their implementation in practice, are identified. The process of the reform of guardianship over the poor in 1834 is considered, and it is claimed that these measures were not aimed at abolishing the existing system; on the contrary, they developed and perfected it. The changes brought about by the reform had ripened for a long time, as evidenced by the adoption in the late 18th and early 19th centuries of recommendatory legislative acts which contained individual measures later improved and consolidated in the single Poor Law Amendment Act 1834. The author claims that this law laid the foundation of the modern system of local government in Great Britain and the institutions based on it evolved into other institutions, either expanding the scope of their influence and functions, or transferring certain functions to other institutions.

Towards a Model of Local Integrity Systems: The Experiences of Local Government in Great Britain

This article expands upon the concepts of the local integrity system (LIS) and integrity management system through a qualitative analysis of the integrity frameworks for local government in Great Britain. With an emphasis on the recent English experience, but drawing upon the comparative systems in Wales and Scotland, the article demonstrates some ways in which integrity has been developed, led, monitored, and enforced, and discusses the perceptions of leading stakeholders in relation to this. It will argue, in addition, that recent changes brought by the Localism Act 2011, has potentially weakened the English LIS.

Competition, Quality and Contract Compliance: Evidence from Compulsory Competitive Tendering in Local Government in Great Britain, 1987–2000*

AbstractThe introduction of competition has frequently been found to cause costs to fall. There has, however, been a question as to whether this was partly achieved at the cost of quality. Auction theory predicts prices would fall more the greater the competition to provide the service. There has been some debate about whether the smaller budgets would make contract compliance more difficult. Evidence is found in support of this hypothesis. We also find some evidence that the better recorded performance of the in‐house direct service organisations (DSOs) during this period was due to the information advantage they had from being incumbents.

Learning GIS in the Workplace: A Framework for Supporting GIS Competencies in Local Government in Great Britain

Learning GIS in the Workplace: A Framework for Supporting GIS Competencies in Local Government in Great Britain

The Cost of Local Government Structural Reorganisation in Great Britain during the 1990s

When the structure of local government in Great Britain was reorganised during the 1990s, considerable emphasis was placed by the government on the financial savings which would accrue to offset the costs incurred in making the changes. Previous work examined these expectations and found clear evidence that the ex ante estimates of transition costs given to the Westminster parliament were serious underestimates, and that the expected savings had not, at that time, materialised. This work was done at a time when it was known that some of the official data on transition costs would not be complete until after the close of the 2000/01 financial year. The author's primary purpose is to place on record what may be regarded as the final estimates of the transition costs in England, Scotland, and Wales. In addition, comparisons between the ex ante estimates of the costs of structural change and the ex post evidence concerning actual costs are updated. The discrepancy between these is such as to confirm the need for some form of independent scrutiny of new legislation at the time when it is being considered in parliament, to ensure that decisions are taken in the light of realistic assessments of the costs and benefits of proposed enactments.

The Implications for Planning of Local Government Reorganisation in Wales: Purpose, Process, and Practice

Local government in Great Britain is currently undergoing reorganisation. The reorganisation process is being progressed separately in each of the three countries of Great Britain—England, Scotland, and Wales. Reorganisation itself has always been a sensitive issue, and the current process is no exception. Political implications of the process have often tended to cloud the practical implications for the delivery of local authority services. In this paper support by senior members of the planning profession in Wales for central government's reorganisation proposals is measured. The content of the proposals is examined and the principal planning-related issues that arise from them are identified. The paper highlights current debate on the implications of local government reorganisation for the future delivery and nature of planning in the principality, with particular reference to three key areas: Planning in a unitary local government structure, the nature of strategic planning within a reorganised local government structure, and the role of community and town councils in the planning process. It is shown that despite general dissatisfaction with central government's regard for the planning function in its proposals for reorganisation, there is considerable support for the underlying principles and content of those proposals. The paper is concluded by progressing the debate to the form of local authority planning postreorganisation.

Representation without Taxation: An Empirical Assessment of the Validity of the Accountability Argument underlying the Reform of Local Government Finance in England

Until 1989 local government in Great Britain was financed from two major sources: central government grants, and the local property tax, known as the rates. The rates were levied on most types of property, the basis for taxation being the notional rental value of the property. Although this system had stood the test of time, there developed throughout the 1970s a widespread feeling that the rates were an unsatisfactory form of local taxation.

British local government documentation

Outlines trends leading to a greater awareness of the importance of information and documentation within local government in Great Britain and pays special attention to the changing information needs of elected members and the general public. Some of the major categories of documentation produced by local authorities themselves are identified and evaluated in terms of their effectiveness as methods of communication. Suggestions for new ways of improving the accessibility of such documents and making them available to a wider audience are also made.

THE REFORM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND—II

Australian Journal of Public AdministrationVolume 30, Issue 1 p. 67-79 THE REFORM OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND—II Owen A. Hartley, Owen A. HartleySearch for more papers by this author Owen A. Hartley, Owen A. HartleySearch for more papers by this author First published: March 1971 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8500.1971.tb00062.xRead the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Volume30, Issue1March 1971Pages 67-79 RelatedInformation