British Academy: The UK's National Academy for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Local devolution of public services: a break with the past or return to the past?
7.15pm to 8.45pm, Wednesday 12 March 2008
A British Academy public discussion in partnership with
the Institute of Local Government Studies, University of Birmingham,
and History & Policy
There will be a British Academy pre-discussion canapé reception from 6pm to 7.15pm
hosted by Dr Robin Jackson, Chief Executive and Secretary, British Academy
This discussion brings together historians, local and central government politicians and local government specialists to discuss why local government has apparently become weaker over the past 60 years, with low voter turn-out, interest and participation, lack of independence of central government, poor levels of accountability and uneven performance. In the current debate about the future of local government, some look back to a Victorian golden age of civic pride, others argue that the 1930s was the heyday of effective, accountable local democracy, gradually superceded by central control since 1945. Others still agree with Nick Raynsford MP (Minister for Local and Regional Government, 2001-5) that: ‘It is pointless looking back at a golden age of local government. We need to try to anticipate the future and what local government will look like in 10 years time’. Can any of these approaches help to revive local democracy?
This discussion has been organised as part of the Economic and Social Research Council's Festival of Social Science 2008.
Welcome and introduction: Martin Willis, Director, Institute of Local Government Studies
Chair: Pat Thane, FBA, Leverhulme Professor of Contemporary British History, Institute of Historical Research, University of London
Speakers: Olwen Dutton, Chief Executive, West Midlands Regional Partnership,
John Healey, MP, Minister of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government,
Jerry White, Local Government Ombudsman,
TBC: Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader, Birmingham City Council
Venue: Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, University Road East,
Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT.
Directions and transport links: http://www.barber.org.uk/
Attendance is free and open to all
To register, please contact Fay Wilson, Seminar Administrator, Institute of Local Government Studies
f.e.wilson@bham.ac.uk / 0121 414 4999
In association with
