Slipping out quietly at the end of recess was a report by the New Local Government Network, written by Treasury Ministers Ed Balls and John Healey, on the future of local government.
Entitled Evolution and Devolution in England, it looks at the Department for Communities and Local Government’s plans for city regions and mayors. And rubbishes them.
What is going on? Is this the start of open war between the Treasury and the DCLG? How will Ruth Kelly respond? Is Gordon trying to extend his hand into other Departments? And whatever happened to joined-up government?
Would this have happened whilst John Prescott and David Miliband were heading up this agenda? I somehow think not…
redtamarin[at]gmail.com
Loading ...
I sometimes wish Government would leave local councils alone. It seems to me that MPs tend to interfere with local government when they are making such a hash of things themselves that they want to distract attention from their own failings. Most MPs have never been local councillors and couldn’t hack it if they had to work that hard in such close proximity to their constituents. By and large I think the average local councillor works harder, with less resources, for less money and to much greater effect than the average MP.
fish-wife said this on August 9th, 2006 at 11:24 am
That picture looks familiar. Did I take it? It’s of Battersea Power Station, visited by three ministers in April 06 to launch the FE White Paper. Sorry to be boring, everyone.
Brandy said this on August 9th, 2006 at 12:20 pm
Has your child been finger / thumb printed yet..? Go here to find out more: http://www.leavethemkidsalone.com/index.htm
Peter Parsons said this on August 9th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
They might disagree about local government. But at least the Minister for Equality and the next Labour Leader share a common passion for ‘missing’ parliamentary votes on gay rights.
Juvenal said this on August 9th, 2006 at 5:44 pm
I think Ruth Kelly nicked her ideas from Richard Leese of Manchester City Council anyway.
el tom said this on August 11th, 2006 at 1:21 am