Posted: September 9, 2012 | Author: Richard | Filed under: Comment, Consultation | Tags: consultation, local government |
Following our successful joint event with Sheffield City Council on proposed changes to Local Government, the Sheffield for Democracy Steering Group has drafted a response, included below.
We welcome comments and suggestions; in particular, we invite you to make your own representations. Please reply to pcrc@parliament.uk by Friday 5th October 2012.
Draft Response
1. We held a public meeting, jointly organised by ourselves and Sheffield City Council, attended by over 50 people; our response is informed by their opinions.
2. Our response overall is to recognise the significance of the proposals, described by some as a Magna Carta for Local Government. They would create a very different basis for the relation between national and local government, which would demand a change in perspective, attitude and culture. It would mean national politicians ceasing to feel they must act whenever there was a scandalous situation locally for which they would no longer be seen as responsible (Baby P case springs to mind).
3. We also recognise that the code contains not only statements of intent but also practical measures that would ensure the moving of power from central to local, including legal remedies.
4. On both counts, we welcome the proposals. The move to local choices, which will be different In different places, as suits the local environment and preferred ways of tackling issues, instead of a one-size–fits-all approach, seems eminently sensible and democratic. Concern has been expressed over the potential difficulties that could arise when a Local Authority has inadequate revenue or resources to meet its legal obligations.
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted: June 7, 2012 | Author: Richard | Filed under: Consultation, Events | Tags: consultation, devolution, local democracy, sheffield, sheffield city council |
Renaissance of Local Government?
Friday 22nd June 2012, 6.00pm – 7.45 pm at Town Hall, Sheffield
Isn't it time for councils to be more than agents of central government?
The last fifty years have seen a growing centralisation of power in England with local government having less autonomy and becoming more and more local administration of central government policy.
The Westminster Select Committee on Political and Constitutional Reform has made some radical proposals which could change this and are consulting on them. This meeting is an opportunity to hear about these changes and their implications, and to discuss how they might improve our democracy.
Speakers include:
- Clive Betts MP,
- Howard Sykes (Local Government Association and ex leader of Oldham Council), and
- Peter Facey (Director of Unlock Democracy) will help us explore the proposed changes.
Both Sheffield City Council and Sheffield for Democracy will be making (separate) submissions and this discussion will inform our thinking.
You are invited to attend. Entry is free, however places are limited.
To reserve a place, please contact Richard Cannon either by email via richard.cannon@sheffield.gov.uk or telephone 0114 2736992.
Further information on the draft code for central and local government can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/political-and-constitutional-reform-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/prospects-for-codifying-the-relationship-between-central-and-local-government/.
Sheffield for Democracy welcomes supporters of all political parties or none. We want to engage and encourage greater participation of the public in democracy at a local level in Sheffield and encourage young people to become more interested in politics by making them aware of how relevant it is to their lives.
Posted: April 12, 2012 | Author: Richard | Filed under: Consultation, Events | Tags: consultation, lobbying |
This is a brief post to say thank you to the people who made it this evening to our public meeting on lobbying transparency, despite the very inclement weather! Many thanks to our guest speakers Tamasin Cave of Spin Watch, Paul Blomfield MP and Cllr Joe Otten. It was great to have so many people (more than 60!) attend and to have so many suggestions and comments from members of the public.
Thank you also to Unlock Democracy for helping to organise and promote the event and to the team at the Quaker Meeting Rooms for hosting us and providing refreshments.
We will be compiling a report of the comments and suggestions made during the meeting and will publish it on this website within the next week.
Please note that the government’s consultation has been extended until next Friday so please submit any suggestions or comments you might have as soon as possible.
Richard Shaw
Webmaster, Sheffield for Democracy
Draft Response to Draft Code for Central and Local Government
Posted: September 9, 2012 | Author: Richard | Filed under: Comment, Consultation | Tags: consultation, local government | Leave a comment »Following our successful joint event with Sheffield City Council on proposed changes to Local Government, the Sheffield for Democracy Steering Group has drafted a response, included below.
We welcome comments and suggestions; in particular, we invite you to make your own representations. Please reply to pcrc@parliament.uk by Friday 5th October 2012.
Draft Response
1. We held a public meeting, jointly organised by ourselves and Sheffield City Council, attended by over 50 people; our response is informed by their opinions.
2. Our response overall is to recognise the significance of the proposals, described by some as a Magna Carta for Local Government. They would create a very different basis for the relation between national and local government, which would demand a change in perspective, attitude and culture. It would mean national politicians ceasing to feel they must act whenever there was a scandalous situation locally for which they would no longer be seen as responsible (Baby P case springs to mind).
3. We also recognise that the code contains not only statements of intent but also practical measures that would ensure the moving of power from central to local, including legal remedies.
4. On both counts, we welcome the proposals. The move to local choices, which will be different In different places, as suits the local environment and preferred ways of tackling issues, instead of a one-size–fits-all approach, seems eminently sensible and democratic. Concern has been expressed over the potential difficulties that could arise when a Local Authority has inadequate revenue or resources to meet its legal obligations.
Read the rest of this entry »