Letter: Local leadership
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: John Prescott's new White Paper on local government suggests that local authorities are "uniquely placed to provide vision and leadership to local communities". His officials, however, are worried that local authorities will be influenced by local interest groups and will not come to the "right" conclusion (in this case the Department's view on housing requirements).
Does Mr Prescott want local authorities with powers, responsibilities and accountability for their actions; or does he want to be able to intervene whenever he or his officials disagree? Does he want a system of local government or a local agency for his Department?
Regrettably, the overwhelming bulk of legislation in the last 20 years has given successive ministers wide-ranging, subjective powers to intervene and overrule. The number of directly accountable authorities has been overwhelmed by indirectly accountable quangos and other agencies.
The Government is in a unique position to offer a vision of a new constitution for this country and of a genuinely new relationship between central and local government. Is it up to the task?
GRAHAM FORSHAW
West Sussex County Council, Chichester
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments