We want to create a new politics where citizens positively engage with an exciting, relevant and vibrant local democracy. Participating in local democracy is an efficient, effective way of influencing what happens to you, your neighbours and your community. To make this happen we need government of all kinds to devolve power, funding and responsibility to the lowest possible level. We want to give people more of a say in the decisions that affect their lives so that public services better meet people’s needs and expectations.

The Local Democracy Campaign will:

  • raise public awareness of the opportunities people have to influence decisions that matter to them through the local ballot box;
  • celebrate local democratic decision-making;
  • increase the public appetite for more decisions to be taken that way;
  • promote specific policy and legislative changes so that more decisions that can be subject to local democratic accountability, and aim to see these reflected in government and opposition policy by the autumn of 2008;
  • promote specific proposals for entrenching the constitutional position of local government

Over the coming months we will put the case to government for the Constitutional Renewal Bill to include a statutory duty to devolve decision making to the lowest possible level; present devolutionary models for welfare and skills; launch a programme of activity that responds to the Councillors’ Commission; seek to influence movers and shakers from the world of politics at a series of debates and a localist film festival.

Latest news and analysis

  • With a little help from our friends

    A new LGA sponsored report written by Roger Gough of the think-tank Localis pitches the English local government system with those in Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland and South Africa. On the basis of the evidence from these countries, it recommends a series of measures necessary for central-local relations to be more effective in England.

    Added on: 29 January 2009
    With a little help from our friends

  • Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Bill - House of Lords second reading briefing

    National policies alone cannot address the affects of the economic slowdown on local communities. Councils are already taking a lead to find local solutions to local problems. The LGA welcomes measures in this Bill which enable councils to work together on economic development. We particularly welcome the government's decision to streamline regional planning by giving councils and Regional Development Agencies a joint role.

    Added on: 31 December 2008

  • One country, two systems? - how national and local democracy can work together

    This LGA publication calls on central government to push decision-making to the lowest possible level so that people feel they have more influence and become more engaged and satisfied with political processes.

    Added on: 22 December 2008
    One country, two systems?

  • Increasing participation by local people is vital for a healthy democracy

    Greater participation by people in the local political process is vital for a healthy democracy, and is the key theme of Votes and Voices, a collection of nine essays published jointly today by NCVO and the LGA.

    Added on: 25 July 2008

  • Communities in Control: real people, real power - LGA briefing

    This LGA on the day briefing contains our key messages and views on each key proposal and chapter of the Government White Paper published on 9 July.

    Added on: 10 July 2008

  • Action plan for community empowerment

    The Department for Communities and Local Government and the Local Government Association have jointly produced an action plan to increase community empowerment.

    Added on: 9 January 2008

  • Independent commission calls for local health services to be more accountable

    The health commission, established by the LGA, calls for a major strengthening of arrangements to hold health services to account at local level.It argues that there is a need for both national accountability and local accountability and proposes ways to achieve that without overloading organisations.

    Added on: 17 June 2008

  • Reform needed to help seven million gain skills and jobs

    A radical overhaul of employment and skills policy is needed to help the seven million people who are economically inactive gain the skills they need to break the hold of benefit dependency.

    Added on: 12 June 2008

  • Reform needed to make police more accountable to local people

    A radical reform of the way the police are held to account is needed if they are to maintain the confidence of the people they serve, local government leaders have said in a new report published today.

    Added on: 9 June 2008

  • Sustainable Communities Act 2007

    LGA has taken on the role of ‘selector’ to consider and short-list proposals made under the Act. We will be publishing more information on how councils and communities can put forward their ideas to enhance sustainability of their area. Read our response to consultation on draft guidance and regulations.

    Added on: 1 February 2010
    BedZed eco-homes - BioRegional

  • LGA responds to Councillors’ Commission

    The LGA, IDeA and the Leadership Centre for Local Government will be working closely with other organisations and the sector as a whole to promote good practice and see where suggestions from the Commission can be put in place.

    Added on: 8 May 2008

  • Local elections 1 May 2008: stand up and be counted

    Many councils are working hard to increase voter turnout and engage people in local decision-making between elections, but how many people in England and Wales will vote on 1st May?

    Added on: 25 April 2008
    democracy campaign

  • Prosperous communities III - en attendant la dévolution

    LGA reminds government that councils must be fully involved with regional economic decision making in order to ensure vital accountability to local people.

    Added on: 26 March 2008
    Prosperous Communities III

  • My money went to Whitehall

    New LGA website shows that that on average people pay six times more national income tax to Whitehall than they do local council tax, and invites people to join our campaign for more local control over tax .

    Added on: 14 February 2008
    mymoneywenttowhitehall tshirt

See also

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