Local government today
By J. Chandler
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- Format: Paperback
- ISBN: 978-0-7190-7695-4
- Pages: 224
- Price: £16.99
- Published Date: February 2009
- Series: Politics Today
Description
Local government today provides a comprehensive analysis of the structure, finance, management and democratic framework for local government in Britain. This new edition has been substantially rewritten to encompass the many changes to the structure and function of the system since 2000, including developments flowing from the 2007 Local Government Act.
The study discusses how, during the Blair years, local governments came to be seen once again as centrally important institutions within Britain's political system. However, they are not seen as organisations that can function as separate agencies, undertaking all their duties 'in-house'. They are now required to work in partnership with the private, public and voluntary sectors to deliver local services and represent local interests. It is further argued that, for the first time in over a century, the barriers between civil servants and senior local government officers are being eroded as central government begins to incorporate leading local government officials into its decision-making processes.
This established textbook also offers a comparative focus by showing how the British system differs from the structures for local governance in Western Europe and the United States.
Contents
List of maps, figures and tables
Preface and acknowledgements
Abbreviations
1.The local government system
2.The structure of the system
3.The functions of local authorities
4. Finance and its control
5. Local government and the state
6.Stewardship
7. Policy making and democracy
8. Leaders, councillors and the party system
9. Bureaucracy and employees
10. Management and accountability
11. Interests, business and the media
12. Patterns of government
13. The future in a comparative context
Appendix
Dates concerning major developments for local government in Britain
References
Index
Author
J. A. Chandler is Professor of Local Governance in the Faculty of Organisation and Management, Sheffield Hallam University