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Proportional representation and local government: lessons from Europe
- Authors:
- RALLINGS Colin, THRASHER Michael, STOKER Gerry
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 38p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
The introduction of proportional representation (PR) into local government is on the current agenda of the Scottish parliament and remains a background policy option in England and Wales. This study reviews the performance of PR systems in Europe. It moves the debate on from theoretical depiction of the alternatives to providing hard evidence of the various options in practice. he authors examine the four main electoral systems used in local and regional elections in Europe: the ‘first-past-the-post’ system, practised in Britain alone; the ‘party list’ system, for which France provides the main illustration (although this system operates in Belgium, Denmark, Sweden and several other countries); the ‘additional member’ system, for which Germany’s regional level elections provide an example; and the ‘single transferable vote’, analysed in respect of recent local elections in the Republic of Ireland. This research reveals that selecting the right electoral system is not a straightforward exercise. Each voting system is affected by the detailed rules and provisions adopted within each country. The number of parties, party competition and voters’ behaviour can all have a substantial impact on results.
Promoting change through research: the impact of research in local government
- Authors:
- PERCY-SMITH Janie, et al
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 69p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
Current interest in evidence-based policy and practice is informed by a belief that research will improve policy and practice. This belief rests on the assumption that research is used by, and has an impact on, policy-makers and practitioners. This study, examines that assumption. Specifically, the study sought to understand both the ways in which research influenced policy and practice and also the kinds of changes that were influenced by research. Dissemination of research outputs within local authorities was often patchy. Front-line officers in particular did not have ready access to research findings that could help develop their practice. Research undertaken in-house or commissioned by the authority was more likely to be used than externally generated research. In general the impact of research on policy tended to be relatively small.
A new account?: choices in local government finance
- Authors:
- STOKER Gerry, TRAVERS Tony
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 28p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
The debate over local government finance has become formal and stale, with central government maintaining its need to control local public spending and local authorities bemoaning their continuing loss of autonomy and the effect on local democracy. This pamphlet aims to provide a way through this impasse. The authors suggest that the future of local government finance can be broadly gathered into two camps: ‘new centralist’ and ‘new localist’. The new centralist perspective goes beyond simply control public spending by local government to how to buy better services. Local authorities in this scenario become less agents and more franchisees, authorised to produce a service subject to the achievement of certain standards. The new localist perspective aruges that what is required is a system of finance that can support local governance and provide local authorities with enough flexibility to act as good partners with other public agencies and the private and voluntary sectors. The authors conclude that it may well be possible to agree a compromise between these two models and therefore a way forward that will satisfy both local and central government.
We can't all be white!: racist victimisation in the UK
- Authors:
- CHAHAL Kusminder, JULIENNE Louis
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 1999
- Pagination:
- 48p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
Relates the experience of racist harassment from 74 people in four cities across the UK. Policies and procedures to combat harassment on housing estates have often stressed the importance of establishing the ‘victim’s perspective’, but rarely have such voices been heard. This study includes extensive extracts from interviews with people who have experienced racist harassment, to reveal its impact on people’s day-to-day lives. It highlights that the consequences of racist harassment go beyond the actual racist events, and impinge on and influence many other aspects of daily life. There is an evident gap between the policies and procedures developed to challenge racist harassment, and the experiences articulated by those being victimised. There is limited support to help those making complaints, and limited advice and referrals to other agencies. The authors conclude that policies and procedures need to be re-evaluated to fit with the expectations of people experiencing racist victimisation and its impact on ordinary lives. There is a need to establish new ways of providing support to those who request it.
Living with ambiguity: the relationship between central and local government
- Author:
- WALKER David
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 33p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
Relations between central government and local authorities have a long history of being difficult and unsettled. The author suggests that local authorities should content themselves with intrinsically local services, leaving social policy to central government and the variety of agencies it employs to provide services. This conclusion, based on close examination of government statements and official attitudes, will be contested. However the author provides a picture of the future of political and administrative forces at work in modern Britain which all those concerned with public service provision, locally and nationally, will welcome for its clarity, even if the conclusion has to be that councils and central government will live in conditions of unresolved tension for years to come.
Devolved approaches to local governance: policy and practice in neighbourhood management
- Authors:
- BURGESS Paul, et al
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2001
- Pagination:
- 120p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York
The Modernising local government and Neighbourhood management policy initiatives are intended to reinvigorate local democracy and to ensure that government is more responsive to local needs. Drawing upon research findings of current practice, this study reviews the underlying issues and constraints, explores alternative approaches to neighbourhood management and examines the consequences for central and local government. The analysis suggests that far more attention needs to be given to issues of organisational and cultural change, capacity building and the hidden costs of implementing these new agendas.
Devolution in Scotland: the impact on local government
- Authors:
- BENNETT Michael, FAIRLEY John, McATEER Mark
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation,|York Publishing Services
- Publication year:
- 2002
- Pagination:
- 50p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- York