• 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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  • Decentralisation to Local Neighbourhoods

    In this page: In addition to proposals for new bodies operating above the level of local councils, some people argue for decentralisation of some powers to neighbourhoods below the level of existing councils. Local councils often cover large populations. This means that those influenced can be distant from their decisions. On some issues, the people […]

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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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  • Citizens to be given a say in devolution agenda

    Statement from the Democracy Matters project For immediate release, Wednesday 14th October 13.30 For more details visit www.citizensassembly.co.uk Major democratic experiment to find out where citizens in Sheffield and Southampton think power should lie at the local level Citizens’ Assemblies launched as Government pushes through devolution legislation and continues to broker deals with city regions […]

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  • Overview of the project

    During October and November 2015, around ninety citizens (including fifteen politicians) will be part of two ‘citizens assemblies’ that will discuss and recommend the best way for their area to be governed into the future. These citizens assemblies will be the first of their kind ever held in the UK and the first opportunity since […]

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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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  • A Devolution Deal

    In this page: A devolution deal is an agreement between the government and a group of local councils. As a result of the deal, the councils form a combined authority and gain new powers, as well as extra funding. This authority has an elected mayor who forms a cabinet. On the surface, these deals are […]

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