April 6

Local government

Local government in Britain is unloved and unsung, by the government and, generally, by the public, the reluctant council tax payers.

For many years it has been derided, downgraded and neglected, emasculated by central government that over the past decade has had its funding cut by half.

Some of its most useful public services have been drastically reduced or abandoned resulting in further condemnation.

Will things ever change?

Once again there are signs of a possible overhaul and revaluation. The most positive and significant, I think, is the move to more elected mayors, of cities and linked areas. This is already having an impact in England.

It is a move I have been advocating for many years, having seen it working in other countries, notably Japan and, most effectively, in Germany.

There, every community, from village to city, has elected leaders with real power to run their area, obviating to a large extent political wrangling.

My involvement with the German system going back sixty years came about with the town twinning of Caerphilly with Stuttgart  and Ludwigsburg in Baden Wurttemburg, one of the wealthiest states in Germany.

Dr Klett, elected  Stuttgart Oberburgermeister immediately after the war, oversaw the city’s revival and increasing wealth. His initial term of office was eight years, giving him breathing space to develop ambitious projects. He was so successful he lasted over thirty years.

I saw the same in Japan where the huge city’s hero  was Governor Minobe who was all powerful for many years.

In Britain, when I joined Cardiff city council fifty years ago it seemed almost feudal, with the ‘city fathers’ - lavishly robed chosen, not publicly elected aldermen. They have all have gone, thank goodness, but generally we have mayors and chairmen usually chosen by the party in power, for one year. Figureheads not leadersor initiators. Here today, gone and forgotten tomorrow.

As with national government, having an eye on the next election in a few years’ time encourages councils to make rash decisions or, worse, dither and delay. No wonder Britain  lags behind.

Mr Johnson seems to have at last realised that the local government situation is so dire something must be done. Hence the push for motivated mayors at different levels, more power for communities, regional government perhaps with the overall aim, less control by central government.

The ambitious plan was announced by Michael Gove, the designated ‘ levelling up ‘ chief with a decade long plan to provide, yes, to level up Britain’s forgotten communities.’

He describes it as the biggest shift of power to local leaders is modern times, with every part of England to get ‘ London  power and mayor’s if they wish.

But will it happen?  I am sceptical. Over the decades, centuries, even, our governments have preferred to be firmly in control. 

Yet we have examples of enterprising councils who made Liverpool, Birmingham and Manchester great and internationally famous.

If only revival of our local government could match that spirit and ability.

 

to have r

A

there is short term thinking

They, and the system, made local government human, working with and for the community.

 the