ePolitix.com's guide to the local government white paper.
What is the local government white paper?
The document sets out the government's plans to reinvigorate local politics by giving more power to councils and communities. Legislation enacting the changes will be published at a later date.
The paper has been in preparation for over a year, originally presided over by then local government secretary David Miliband and since May by his successor, Ruth Kelly.
Why is it being published?
Ministers want to improve services by bringing them closer and making them more responsive to local communities. Research has shown that, despite service improvements, only 21 per cent of the public say they are satisfied with their local authority, while two-thirds say they do not believe they can influence decisions affecting their area.
The government hopes that giving councils more power and setting fewer central targets will allow for minimum national standards to remain while also encouraging innovation, better meeting local needs and attracting higher calibre councillors.
The main thrust of the white paper is the principle, first set out by Miliband and since by Kelly, of "double devolution" both from Whitehall to town halls and councils to communities.
What powers will councils get?
The government believes the model of having a directly elected mayor running a council, such as in Middlesbrough and Hackney, has been a success, creating clearer decision making and more accountability.
It wants to make it easier for local authorities to adopt the practice by dropping the requirement for a referendum and will give all council leaders, whether a directly elected mayor or executive, or traditional leader elected by councillors, a four year term.
Ministers also believe that devolved London government under a mayor has worked well and want to allow some councils, in areas such as Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, to combine some strategic powers as part of 'city regions'.
They feel it makes sense to have a single transport or economic strategy in these identifiable 'travel to work' areas.
What powers will communities get?
It return for receiving more freedom from central government, councils will be compelled to hand down control over some services, such as street cleaning, parks, safety issues and youth facilities to an even lower level.
Traditional parish councils have been suggested as a model, with residents being given the opportunity - via a "community call for action" - to take over services from local authorities if they are unhappy and the council cannot demonstrate plans for improvement.
Communities will also be able to form their own select committee-style panels to grill council leaders and service providers. However this is not thought to include individual doctors or headteachers.
Does it include council tax?
No. Reform of local government finance policy has been farmed out to an external review currently being undertaken by town hall troubleshooter Sir Michael Lyons.
He is looking at council tax, business rates, tourist 'bed taxes' and other charges such as on waste, as well as the balance of funding between central and local sources and the "functions" of local authorities. There is expected to be some degree of overlap between the two.
Sir Michael is expected to report before the end of the year, in time for the 2007 comprehensive spending review and ahead of the enactment of the white paper.
