Prospects for Codifying the Relationship Between Central and Local Government

Prospects for Codifying the Relationship Between Central and Local Government PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Political and Constitutional Reform Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215052544
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 60

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Book Description
The Committee has produced its own code, included in this report, for relations between central and local government. The code is intended to replace the estimated 1,293 duties imposed on local government today. The Committee concludes that the balance of power between central and local government is skewed in favour of the centre and needs to be addressed. The devolution of power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland has been successful and is an evolving process - there is no apparent reason why local government in England is not capable of using similar powers. Power and finance must go together, if local government is to become an equal partner it should have own source of revenue. Local authorities in England could also have a share of the existing income tax take and local councils freed to raise additional revenue, with the consent of their electorates. English local government lacks some of the most basic constitutional protections that are available to some of its counterparts in a number of other mature European democracies. The Government should examine the possibilities of a stronger constitutional status for local government, through an entrenched statutory code, or a similar proposal. A code for relations between central and local government, enforced by statute, could be beneficial to both tiers of government for several reasons. First, it could help set out exactly where powers do, and should, lie, thereby increasing transparency for the electors. Secondly, it could help redress the overcentralisation of England. Thirdly, it could provide an economic boost that the country sorely needs.

Prospects for Codifying the Relationship Between Central and Local Government

Prospects for Codifying the Relationship Between Central and Local Government PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons: Political and Constitutional Reform Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215052544
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 60

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Book Description
The Committee has produced its own code, included in this report, for relations between central and local government. The code is intended to replace the estimated 1,293 duties imposed on local government today. The Committee concludes that the balance of power between central and local government is skewed in favour of the centre and needs to be addressed. The devolution of power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland has been successful and is an evolving process - there is no apparent reason why local government in England is not capable of using similar powers. Power and finance must go together, if local government is to become an equal partner it should have own source of revenue. Local authorities in England could also have a share of the existing income tax take and local councils freed to raise additional revenue, with the consent of their electorates. English local government lacks some of the most basic constitutional protections that are available to some of its counterparts in a number of other mature European democracies. The Government should examine the possibilities of a stronger constitutional status for local government, through an entrenched statutory code, or a similar proposal. A code for relations between central and local government, enforced by statute, could be beneficial to both tiers of government for several reasons. First, it could help set out exactly where powers do, and should, lie, thereby increasing transparency for the electors. Secondly, it could help redress the overcentralisation of England. Thirdly, it could provide an economic boost that the country sorely needs.

Sessional Returns

Sessional Returns PDF Author: Great Britain: Parliament: House of Commons
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 9780215048387
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 442

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Book Description
On cover and title page: House, committees of the whole House, general committees and select committees

HC 1128 - The Work of the Committee in the 2010 Parliament

HC 1128 - The Work of the Committee in the 2010 Parliament PDF Author: Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Political and Constitutional Reform Committee
Publisher: The Stationery Office
ISBN: 0215085817
Category : Great Britain. Parliament
Languages : en
Pages : 33

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Book Description
The Political and Constitutional Reform Select Committee was established in June 2010 to consider political and constitutional reform. Over the last five years the Committee has scrutinised the Government's substantial programme of political and constitutional reform - which included fixing the term of a Parliament, bringing forward proposals for recalling MPs, establishing a register of third party lobbyists and implementing Individual Electoral Registration. The establishment of a dedicated select committee to consider these matters has brought additional parliamentary scrutiny to a substantial part of the Government's programme. Should the next Government plan to take forward constitutional reform, a select committee be established to examine the Government's proposals, to keep the progress of any political and constitutional reform under regular review, and to continue the work this Committee has undertaken. The Committee has also highlighted the extent to which it has engaged the public with it's work through consultations and increased use of social media, online surveys and informal events. This public engagement is one of it's greatest innovations, and something which it encourages other committees to adopt in the future

Law, Localism, and the Constitution

Law, Localism, and the Constitution PDF Author: John Stanton
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 0429760299
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
Local government affects us all. Wherever we live, in towns, cities, villages, or the smallest of communities, there are locally elected councils tasked with representing people’s interests in the running of the local area. This involves, inter alia, providing public services, maintaining local spaces, and acting as a level of democratic governance within the broader constitutional and executive structure of the state. To fulfil these responsibilities, though, local government must be democratically legitimate; it must have at its disposal reasonable means and resources to function; and it must enjoy a healthy and balanced relationship with centralised government. This book explores and analyses the extent to which local government in the different parts of the United Kingdom is able to function effectively and democratically. It draws from local councillors’ views in analysing the state of local government under the current constitutional and governmental arrangements, discussing issues such as councils’ relationships with central government; citizen engagement; finance and public services; and the impact of recent reforms. It contrasts and compares the different approaches adopted in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, also setting out and discussing possible reforms of local government across the United Kingdom. While the focus is on the United Kingdom, the work includes a comparison with other relevant jurisdictions.

European Charter of Local Self-Government

European Charter of Local Self-Government PDF Author: Chris Himsworth
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
ISBN: 1474469175
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
This is the first critical study of the 1985 treaty that guarantees the status of local self-government. Chris Himsworth analyses the text of the 1985 European Charter of Local Self-Government, traces its historical emergence and explains how it has been applied and interpreted throughout Europe, including the 2014 'Local and regional democracy in the United Kingdom' report published by the Council of Europe in March 2014. Locating the Charter's own history within the broader recent history of the Council of Europe and the European Union, the book closes with an assessment of the Charter's future prospects.

Public Law

Public Law PDF Author: Mark Elliott
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199665184
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 897

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Book Description
'Public Law' is an introductory textbook that offers a mixture of black letter law and political analysis to give students an excellent grounding in the subject. It covers all of the key topics on undergraduate courses and includes a number of pedagogical features to aid understanding.

Locating Localism

Locating Localism PDF Author: Wills, Jane
Publisher: Policy Press
ISBN: 1447323076
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 264

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Book Description
Locating localism explores the development of localism as a new mode of statecraft and its implications for the practice of citizenship. Drawing on original research, Jane Wills highlights the importance of having the civic infrastructure and capacity to facilitate the engagement of citizens in local decision making. She looks at the development of community organising, neighbourhood planning and community councils that identify and nurture the energies, talents and creativity of the population to solve their own problems and improve our world. Combining political theory with attention to political practice, the book takes the long view of this new policy development, positioning it in relation to the political geo-history of the British state. In so doing, it highlights the challenges of the state devolving itself and the importance of citizens having the freedom, incentives and institutions needed to act.

The United Kingdom and The Federal Idea

The United Kingdom and The Federal Idea PDF Author: Robert Schütze
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1509907157
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 328

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Book Description
How should political power be divided within and among national peoples? Is the nineteenth-century theory of the sovereign and unitary State still fit for purpose in the twenty-first century? If not, can federalism provide a viable alternative model? This collection looks at federalism from the perspective of constitutional law. Taking the United Kingdom as a case study, Part One tracks the historical evolution of the 'Union' and explores the various expressions of federalism that emerged between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries. Part Two then assesses the experience of sovereignty-sharing with other nations in the context of international cooperation. Drawing on the expertise of the foremost commentators in their field, The United Kingdom and the Federal Idea provides a timely and reflective evaluation of how constitutional authority is being re-ordered within and beyond the United Kingdom.

Wade and Forsyth's Administrative Law

Wade and Forsyth's Administrative Law PDF Author:
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 019880685X
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 909

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Book Description
Wade and Forsyth's Administrative Law has been a cornerstone text since publication of the first edition in 1961. It provides a comprehensive and perceptive account of the principles of judicial review and the administrative arrangements of the United Kingdom. For over sixty years, this text has been trusted by students and is extensively cited by courts throughout the common law world. The book's clarity of exposition makes it accessible to students approaching the subject for the first time, whilst its breadth of coverage and perceptive insight ensure its value to all interested in the field, academics and practitioners alike.

Beyond Magna Carta

Beyond Magna Carta PDF Author: Andrew Blick
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1849469636
Category : Law
Languages : en
Pages : 316

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Book Description
The 800th anniversary of Magna Carta falls in June 2015. In this work Dr Blick argues that this event should be the occasion for a reassessment of the past, present and future of the UK constitution. He draws on his experience as research fellow to the first ever parliamentary inquiry into the possibility of a written constitution for the UK. Dr Blick considers a series of English and UK historical texts from Anglo-Saxon times onwards, among which Magna Carta is the most prominent, which sought to set out arrangements for the governance of England and later the UK as a whole. He argues that they comprise a powerful tradition of written constitutional documents, and stresses the importance of the European dimension to their introduction and content. The author then considers the present nature of the UK constitution, describing the period of immense flux through which it has passed in recent decades, and the implications of this phase of change. Dr Blick identifies a need for a full written constitution for the UK as the next appropriate step. Finally, he discusses the democratic processes suitable to devising such a text, and what its contents might be. 'With this book Andrew Blick has made a major contribution to our understanding of how our system of government has worked in the past, how it is working – or not working – now, and what it could be in the future. Combing the centuries, he challenges many misconceptions and makes a powerful case for a written constitution. This volume is absolutely essential to anyone who wants to appreciate the real meaning of Magna Carta and why we should celebrate it.' Graham Allen MP, Chair, House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Committee 'Beyond Magna Carta brings together the utility of a road map with the fascination of a changing cartography of political thought – all part of the constitutional development of these islands from the Great Charter of 1215 to the confusing aftermath of the Scottish Referendum of 2014. It is a superb work of explanation capped by intriguing suggestions of future possibilities.' Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield, FBA, Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History, Queen Mary, University of London.