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Democracy and Local Autonomy
In this page: This page considers the basic building blocks of democracy: representation and accountability. It also introduces the related idea of local autonomy. Our democratic system is primarily based on representation. In a representative democracy, voters do not make policy decisions themselves: they give that power to elected representatives. In this page, we introduce features […]
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Areas and Area Boundaries
In this page: What areas should our local councils or regional authorities cover? This page considers this question. It deals with the kinds of areas that local government structures can cover and the options for working out what the boundaries of these areas should be. It considers both traditional or identity-based boundaries, and boundaries based on […]
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Governance Structures: Who Exercises Power?
In this page: This page describes the different structures for decision-making in local government. Decision-making can involve ordinary citizens, elected politicians, and representatives of business, trade unions, and other groups. Structures within decisions can be made include traditional local councils, combined authorities (with and without mayors), regional assemblies, and direct democracy. These have varying implications for […]
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Policies: Which Issues Are Decided at Which Level?
In this page: One issue the assemblies will consider is what powers should be held by different levels of government. That involves two questions. The first is: Which issues should be decided nationally (by central government in London) and which should be decided more locally? What should ‘more locally’ mean (in current local authorities, larger […]
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Local Government in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
In this page: This page sets out the current local government arrangements in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Most of the traditional county of Hampshire has a two-tier system of local government, with county and district councils. Portsmouth and Southampton are not governed by Hampshire County Council. Instead, they have their own ‘unitary’ authorities. The […]
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Local Government in the Sheffield City Region
In this page: This pagw sets out current local government arrangements in the area in and around Sheffield. South Yorkshire has four ‘unitary’ councils: Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. These councils are responsible for providing local services in their areas. The Sheffield City Region includes Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham, plus four councils in Derbyshire and […]
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Introduction to the briefing papers
This introduction was designed for the Assembly North participants. Congratulations on becoming a member of Assembly North! Over the next few weeks, you will get to debate some very important issues to do with how the South Yorkshire area will be governed in the future. The results of your discussions will be closely followed by […]
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A Regional Assembly
In this page: This paper sets out ideas for new regional assemblies in England. These would sit below central government and above local councils. People from large regional areas would elect these assemblies, which might each have 30 to 40 members. Each assembly would elect a first minister and cabinet. Regional assemblies in England would […]
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The Local Government System in England Today
In this page: This page sets out the system of local government as it exists in England today. For details on arrangements in your area, see the separate pages on local government in the Sheffield City Region and in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. In much of England, there are county and district councils. Elsewhere, there […]
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