§ Baroness Gould of Potternewtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they will publish their proposals for reforming local democracy. [HL536]
§ Baroness HaymanWe have published today the first in a series of papers inviting discussion on proposals to modernise English local government. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.
This first paper—on local democracy and community leadership—sets out proposals for modernising local electoral arrangements, for developing new ways in which councils can listen to their local communities and involve them in their decisions, for devising new ways in which councils can work, and for strengthening councils' roles as leaders of their local communities.
Other papers in the series will cover our proposals for best value in service delivery, a new ethical framework for local government, and aspects of the local government finance system. Following what we hope will be a wide public debate, we will set out our firm proposals in a White Paper. Our aim is a re-invigorated local government playing its full part as a partner with central government in laying the foundations for stable economic growth and improving the quality of people's lives.