Politicians, people and partners' might be a useful summary of the likely contents of the local government White Paper. Whatever else it does or doesn't do, it must bring some clarity about the roles, relationships and values that need to underpin the future of local government. We believe that a dear distinction between elected members and the paid service should be made. There is a need to re-emphasise the centrality of elected members as the 'authority', with the core task 'to promote the wellbeing' of the area they serve through their decision-making. In order to do this, members need to hold to account, on behalf of their electorate, all the partners who contribute to this - especially those in receipt of public money to improve services.
展开▼
