Local Government Reorganisation Research Articles

Next steps in child protection, policy and practice. a perspective from england

Thank you for inviting me to speak to you today. I am very pleased to be able to do so at such an important time for all of you who are involved in children's services in Northern Ireland. Today I want to share with you the key points of the Department of Health's strategy for taking forward the refocusing debate in England and some of the ways in which change has been implemented by local child care agencies. I will not address die Welsh context as I am not familiar with it in any detail. I do know, however, that agencies there have been working hard to address these issues at a time of both change and stress as they have been involved in local government reorganisation, and the Clwyd Inquiry is ongoing.

The Organic or the Arithmetic: Independent Commissions and the Redrawing of the UK's Administrative Maps

JOHNSTON R. J., PATTIE C. J. and ROSSITER D. J. (1997) The organic or the arithmetic: independent commissions and the redrawing of the UK's administrative maps, Reg. Studies 31, 337-349. Several elements of the administrative map of the UK were changed in the mid-1990s with the creation of new parliamentary constituencies and new unitary local authorities. The tasks of drawing-up the new maps involved resolving the tensions between two conflicting principles - those of efficiency (an 'arithmetic principle') and community representation ('an organic principle'). In the case of parliamentary constituencies, the task is entrusted to independent Commissions, as was the case also with local government reorganization in England. This paper discusses how those conflicts were resolved by the Commissions and the relationships between the outcomes and the Government's expectations. JOHNSTON R. J., PATTIE C. J. et ROSSITER D. J. (1997) L'organique ou l'arithmétique: les Commissions indépendantes et le redécoupage administratif au Royaume-Uni, Reg. Studies 31, 337-349. Plusieurs composantes de la carte administrative du Royaume-Uni ont été changées au milieu des années 90 avec la création de nouvelles circonscriptions électorales et de nouvelles administrations locales unitaires. L'esquisse des nouvelles cartes a nécessité la résolution des tensions entre deux principes discordants - à savoir l'efficience (un 'principe arithmétique') et la représentation communautaire (un 'principe organique'). Quant aux circonscriptions électorales, la tâche est le ressort des Commissions indépendantes, ce qui s'est passé aussi au moment de la réorganisation de l'administration locale en Angleterre. Cet article discute de la façon dont ces conflits ont été résolus par les Commissions, et le rapport entre les conséquences et les attentes du gouvernement. JOHNSTON R. J., PATTIE C. J. und ROSSITER D. J. (1997) Organisch Gewachsenes oder Arithmethik: Unabha¨ngige Kommissionen und die Neuabgrenzung der Verwaltungsbezirke des Vereinigten Ko¨nigreichs, Reg. Studies 31, 337- 349. Im Gefolge der Schaffung neuer Wahlbezirke und neuer, einheitlicher Ortsverwaltungen wurden in den mittneunziger Jahren verschiedene Elemente der politischen Karte des Vereinigten Ko¨nigreichs vera¨ndert. Die Aufgabe der Zeichner der neuen Karten verlangte die Lo¨sung der Spannungen zwischen zwei sich widersprechenden Prinzipien ‐ dem der Leistungsfa¨higkeit (ein arithmethisches Prinzip) und dem der Darstellung der Gemeinden (ein organisches Prinzip). Im Falle der Wahlkreise wurde die Aufgabe einer unabha¨ngigen Kommission anvertraut, wie es schon bei der Umorganisation der Ortsverwaltungen in England gehandhabt worden war. Dieser Aufsatz beschreibt, wie diese Widerspru¨che von den Kommissionen gelo¨st wurden, sowie das Verha¨ltnis zwischen den Erwartungen der Regierung und ihrer Erfu¨llung.

The current urbanization policy evaluated

The Dutch national government is pursuing an urbanization policy by which most development is to be concentrated in and around a limited number of towns and cities. This policy can be seen as a continuation of the previous policies of the national government, but in a more extreme form. Furthermore that government is trying to get it realized in new ways, with the municipalities in a city region working together more closely and assuming more of the financial responsibility. It is too soon to say whether the new policy will succeed, but some of the necessary conditions are not being met. In particular, the reorganization of local government is meeting great difficulties, and the land and housing markets are changing in unforeseen ways.

Effects of local government reorganization on senior library management

Conjecture over the past few years on the negative impact of local government reorganization on public library staff at the most senior level (Malley, 1993 et al.), is now being supported by evidence emerging from the local authorities which have been reorganized. Recent research on Wales (Matrix Library Management, 1996) and brief reports on Scotland (MacNaughtan, 1996, and Morrow, 1996) confirm that both library departments and the most senior librarian positions in these departments have been considerably downgraded in the re‐structuring programmes that have accompanied the reorganization process. Outlines the finding of this research. Reflects on the consequences of these developments.

Understanding the Local Government Review: A Retrospective Analysis

Reorganizations have provided fertile ground for researchers and practitioners seeking to draw lessons about the nature of public administration. The review leading to the reorganization of British local government in 1991‐96 sustains the tradition. In an extraordinary unfolding of events key features of the policy and political system are laid bare. This article provides a background analysis of the review, examines the main turning points in the process, assesses the performance of key players and concludes with a judgement about the sustainability of the settlement that ultimately emerged. A number of lessons are drawn about the nature of the British political system as revealed through the impact of the challenge of a large‐scale structural review of local government.

Medical assessment for licensing of taxi drivers by Scottish local authorities.

In the UK, licensing of taxi drivers is dealt with by local government authorities. In Scotland, before the recent reorganization of local government, taxi licensing was under the jurisdiction of District Councils, so a telephone survey was conducted of all 52 mainland Scottish District Councils to ascertain the procedures which were being employed in assessing medical fitness to drive a taxi, for which there is no national standard. Medical enquiries relevant to fitness to drive were being made by 41 (79%) of local authorities, but in 38 (73%) this was limited to a single question about health. No enquiry regarding health status was being made by 11 (21%) District Councils (all serving < 100,000 population size). Only three Scottish District Councils conducted a routine medical examination of all applicants. Thirteen of the 15 large (> 100,000 population size), and 20 of the 21 medium-sized (50,000-100,000) Scottish District Councils carried out medical examinations either when a relevant medical disorder was declared by the applicant, or when the applicant was above a defined age (which varied between local authorities). The small local authorities (population < 50,000) examined only those applicants who declared medical disorders. This survey has shown considerable variation and limitations in the approach of the previously existing Scottish District Councils to the assessment of medical fitness to drive of applicants for taxi licences. It is suggested that national standards and guidelines are required for medical fitness to drive in relation to taxi licensing.

The End of the Regional Experiment? Some Implications of Scottish Local Government Reorganisation for English Regions

The rise of regional government in Scotland can be linked to the wider growth of regionalism throughout Western Europe in which the positive role of government in managing the regional economy was stressed. However, almost since their inception the Scottish Regional Councils were undermined from the centre until their abolition in 1996. The new system of Scottish local government has been shorn of key strategic functions and subjected to a plethora of reforms which question its ability to adopt a regional overview of issues. However, with the prospect of major constitutional reform if Labour win the next general election, the possibility remains that some form of regional government may reemerge throughout Britain in the near future.

Hearing But Not Listening: The Local Government Review Process

This article presents a study of the local government review process in West Sussex. As in any local government reorganization the career and status concerns of individuals and broader positions of coalitions dominant in different organizations provide the dynamic to a ‘play of power’ which is in turn conditioned by external events and contextual factors. Underlying the analysis is a concern to assess whether in particular the presence of an independent commission facilitated the application of an element of policy analysis and learning into the process. It is concluded that little in the way of a reflective and deliberative process occurred. Equally it is noted that to achieve such qualities in public decision‐making is a challenging and daunting task when major organizational interests are at stake.

“Is this the right meeting?”

Based on research funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, looks at change in services for children and young people in difficulty and the implications for inter‐disciplinary working. The research is based on 80 interviews conducted with key individuals at local and national level. Describes and analyses the changes in health, social work, education and the Children’s Hearing system. Argues that the purchaser/provider split; local government reorganization and the Children (Scotland) Act will all affect collaboration in planning and service delivery for children and young people in difficulty. Identifies the potential problems and opportunities resulting from these changes and highlights the emerging issues relevant to provision of services.

Local government reorganisation and the management of public library staff

(1996). Local government reorganisation and the management of public library staff. Local Government Studies: Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 47-59.

VIEWPOINT: Local government reorganisation and the strategic planning lottery in Scotland

VIEWPOINT: Local government reorganisation and the strategic planning lottery in Scotland

Scale, performance and local government reorganization: An analysis of the non‐metropolitan districts

The creation of unitary local authorities by dismantling counties and combining districts has assumed that the performance of local services is not affected by scale. This article shows that scale is linked to aspects of service provision in the non‐metropolitan districts, in particular quality, efficiency and administrative effectiveness. Therefore, it is essential that scale effects are considered when decisions on district mergers are taken.

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMISSION: EXAMINING THE CONSULTATIVE PROCESS

This article shows how a complex configuration of interests has shaped the work of the Local Government Commission for England (lgc). The article focuses upon the consultative processes associated with the work of the commission in Leicestershire and makes a dual contribution to our understanding of the emerging structure of English non‐metropolitan local government. First, it provides a detailed insight into the consultative exercises carried out by one local authority, Leicestershire County Council (lcc), and explores the strategies employed by that authority in order to secure an optimal outcome from the Local Government Commission. Second, it argues that organization theory, notably the inter‐organizational analysis applied by Leach in his work on the impact of the reorganization of local government in metropolitan Britain, offers the most pertinent theoretical framework for analysis. The article highlights the inadequacies of the consultation process around local government reorganization, showing that neither the efforts of the county council nor the commission itself stimulated a reasoned debate amongst the public. The review process did not capture people's imagination; nor did it stimulate genuine debate about the kind of local government we want. Essentially, what this article depicts is a picture of a pragmatic and brutal organizational battle in which there were losers as well as winners.

Locality, local economic strategy and private sector involvement: case studies in Norwich and Cardiff

This paper examines the distinctive experience of local economic strategy development by two British city councils, Norwich and Cardiff. In Norwich, the local social relations of municipalism and labourism were reflected in the City Council's primacy in local economic policy, and in the relationships it established, especially with private sector actors in building coalescence around the strategy. In Cardiff, local social relations were less determinate. Rather, local economic strategy development and associated private sector involvement has been substantially influenced by restructuring in central-local government relations, local government reorganization, and the changing form of national and European urban and regional policy. In this context, theories of regime politics offer significant insights into the politics of local economic strategy.

Disruption Costs and Local Government Reorganisation: Managing Problems, Policies and Priorities

The process of institutional reorganisation, however, will involve a number of disruption costs as established services, responsibilities, policies and programmes arc changed to conform with (he new unitary administrative arrangements. This article addresses the nature of the disruption costs likely to be associated with the reorganisation of local government in Scotland with the intention of minimising their impact on local communities. It proposes learning from historical experience in Scotland and highlights the role played by regional reports in the last rcfonn of local government in the mid 1970s.

THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF EMAS IN CLEVELAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Cleveland County Council has been involved in the eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) for UK local government from its inception. EMAS is being used to implement the County Council's environmental strategy. Attempts have been made to implement EMAS in different departments with varying success. Most progress has been made in the Environment Division of the Department of Environment, Development and Transportation. All seven stages of the system have been tackled: (i) policy — contained in Cleveland County Council's environmental strategy; (ii) review — this stage looked at both the direct (day to day) and service effects; (iii) programme — a programme of action to deal with major environmental effects; (iv) environmental management system — procedures and explanations of how the system worked; (v) audit — the environmental programmes were reviewed yearly; (vi) statement — a publicly available account of the environmental management of the division; and (vii) validation — an internal validation of the statement took place. The approach taken and the difficulties encountered at each stage are discussed. It is hoped that the valuable experience gained will be used in Cleveland's new unitary authorities following local government reorganization.

Plus va Change, Plus C'est la Meme Chose

This article considers processes of change and persistence in educational psychology within a historical context. The immediate impetus for such an exploratory investigation has come from the current local government reorganization in the UK which is of relevance to educational psychologists in relation to theories, paradigms and practice. Models for processes of change and continuance are discussed. Daring as it is to investigate the unknown, even more so it is to question the known. Kaspar

The road to reorganization: Wales as a case study

Reviews in detail the political aspects of the many stages in the reorganiza tion of local government in the UK, between 1990 and 1996, with particular reference to the reasons for such changes, the influence of district authorities as a pressure group and the ultimate effect of their campaign. Focuses on the evolution of the policy for the reorganization of local government in Wales, dating from the publication of the 1991 consultation paper, and the likely implications for public libraries in Wales of a local government structure com prising 22 unitary all purpose authorities. Concludes that it is relevant to ask what sort of public library service will evolve from within this structure over the subsequent 5 to 10 years. Attempts to answer the question by con sidering 2 possible scenarios (one negative and one that is more positive and encouraging). Suggests that the 2 scenarios probably constitute extremes and the actual outcome will probably lie somewhere in between.

Recurring Issues in Scottish Local Government Reform

This article examines the political pressures affecting local government reorgan isation in Scotland. It highlights conflicts over reform between local and central government, within political parties and within the local government environment itself. It concludes that such tensions are inevitable in any reform process. The Government entered the reform process in 1991 believing that there was a consensus on single-tier. In fact, whereas there was agreement in principle, consensus on the specific outcomes did not exist. This was because any reform of structure will inevitably create winners and losers. The central argument of the paper is that the reorganisation exercise of the 1990s was not unique. Conflict was also inherent during the last reforms in the 1970s.

Policy Review The Impact of Local Government Reorganisation in Wales

Children & SocietyVolume 9, Issue 4 p. 94-99 Policy Review The Impact of Local Government Reorganisation in Wales Catriona Williams, Catriona Williams Director, Children in WalesSearch for more papers by this author Catriona Williams, Catriona Williams Director, Children in WalesSearch for more papers by this author First published: December 1995 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1099-0860.1995.tb00305.xAboutPDF 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 Volume9, Issue4December 1995Pages 94-99 RelatedInformation