Centralisation, Devolution and the Future of Local Government... - 9781138222373

Taylor & Francis

Centralisation, Devolution and the Future of Local Government in EnglandAuthor(s): Steve Leach, John Stewart, George Jones\nFormat: Hardback\nPublisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, United Kingdom\nImprint: Routledge\nISBN-13: 9781138222373, 978-1138222373\nSynopsis\nEnglish local government is in a state of decline after 40 years of incremental but cumulative centralisation by central government. \n\nThis book is the first to directly address this trend's impact upon the institution of local government, a crucial element in the democratic viability of a unitary state. The process of centralisation, and its corrosive effect on the status and responsibilities of local government, have been widely recognised and deplored among politicians and senior officers within local government, and by academics with an interest in this field. However, there has been no study exploring in detail its impact, and, equally important, suggesting ways in which the growing imbalance between the powers of ce.