Localis in the Media
Localis in The Local Government Chronicle
Letter:a central/local start, 10th January, 2008
The concordat signed between central government and the Local Governement Association just before Christmas a modest and low-key document (LGC, 20 December 2007). Nonetheless, it represents a start.
But there is a lot further to go; if the central/local relationship is to be as truly collaborative as the concordat states then local government will need greater constitutional protection than it is currently afforded.
Some of the options for achieving this were canvassed by LGA chairman Sir Simon Milton (Con) in his address to Policy Exchange and Localis in September. (The full text of the speech can be found here.)
If constitutional status is at the core of the inequality in central/local relations, finance cannot be ignored. The concordat's reference to "greater flexibility" in councils' funding, and to the European Charter of Local Self-Government is a wedge, leaving open the possibility of the reforms suggested by Sir Michael Lyons.
If some form of new constitutional settlement is achieved - whether through a written constitution of through a variety of less formal means- then the concordat could be an element of that settlement.
Perhaps it should get two stars, but with the direction of travel 'improving', perhaps even 'improving strongly'.
Localis' full report on the Concordat, Two Cheers for the Concordat, can be found here.
Headlines
13 Nov 2008
EVENT "How can Local Authorities tackle the issues associated with 'at risk' families in deprived areas?"
This joint event with Westminster City Council on the 11th November aimed to tackle some of the important issues around how 'problem' families can be addressed.
The speakers wer Clare Tickell, Chief Executive for Action for Children, Colin Barrow, Leader of Westminster Council, Shaun Bailey, Founder of 'My Generation' and PPC for Hammersmith and Chris Bullivant, Projects Director from the Centre for Social Justice. he event was well attended, and a lively debate ensued.
28 Oct 2008
Councillor Merrick Cockell appointed as Chairman of Localis
Councilor Merrick Cockell, leader of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has been appointed as the new Chairman of Localis, the leading local government think tank.
James Morris, Chief Executive of Localis said: 'I am delighted that Merrick has agreed to become Chairman of Localis at this important time for local government and the broader localist agenda. His experience as one of the countries leading local authority leaders will be immensely valuable to Localis as we develop our policy agenda over the coming years.
Councillor Merrick Cockell said: ...
27 Oct 2008
PUBLICATION "Information, Information, Information"
This research note argues that a much wider public release of information is needed in order to increase and improve trust in and accountability of public bodi
es operating at the local level. Picking up on evidence from at home and abroad, it suggests far-reaching changes to our current relationship with information, from reforming the national indicator set to tailoring information to the needs of local areas. To read the full research note, click here<...
09 Oct 2008
PUBLICATION: Big Ideas: Building on Conservative Fundamentals
Localis and the Conservative Councils Innovation Unit publish the first in a series of booklets on innovative practice and ideas at the local level. To read the full publication, please click here
09 Sep 2008
EVENT "The future of public facing crime mapping in the UK - will it show people what they want to know?"
Localis will be hosting a panel debate on the future of public facing crime mapping in the UK at 12.30 on Thursday 25th September at The Ideas Space, 10 Storeys Gate, Westminster, SW1P 3AY.
To find out more click here or email info@localisresearch.org
03 Sep 2008
Conservative Party Conference Event: Breaking up Britain: The future of regional governance
Localis will be hosting a panel debate at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham on the 30th September at 12.45 at the Delphi Hotel. The topic of debate will be the future of regional governance in the UK.
Contributing to the debate will be Eric Pickles, Shadow Minister for Local Government; Demot Finch, Director of the Centre for Cities; Sheila Childerhouse, board member of EEDA; and James Morris, Chief Executive Localis. To find out more about this event contact info@localisresearch.org
08 Jul 2008
Localis at LGA Conference
Merrick Cockell, Chairman of London Councils delivers speech on 'The spread of innovation between local authorities' at a Localis fringe reception at the LGA Conference 2008. To read the speech in full, click here
25 Jun 2008
James Morris gives evidence at Local Government Select Committee
James Morris gives evidence to a Parliamentary Select Committee on the 'Relationship between Central and Local Government'. See here to watch the meeting in full.
09 Jun 2008
The Million Vote Mandate: The Challenges facing Boris Johnson
The new Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, was elected a month ago with the votes of over 1 million Londoners. This has given him a considerable popular mandate.
Now, a new report from leading think tanks Policy Exchange and Localis, the local government and localist think tank, looks at the big issues the new Mayor will face in his first term as set out by some of the foremost experts and commentators on London politics.
The opening chapter of the report, written by award winning Evening Standard journalist Andrew Gilligan, analyses the positives ...
03 Jun 2008
Localis proposes a radical overhaul of the current system of regional governance
A new Localis Research Note entitled 'The Future of Regional Governance' suggests that the Government's case for Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) is based on little or no evidence, and that the current Sub-National Review (SNR) does not go far enough to devolve power to local authorities (LAs). The report proposes a dramatic overhaul of the current responsibilities of RDAs.
