Current debate about the future
Over the next few years, councils will have to continue adapting to change. Customers will demand better, more tailored services and there will be a more diverse population with a greater variety of needs. As community leaders, councils will need to listen effectively to their communities and bring appropriate partners together to address these changes through improved public services.
Local:vision
In 2004, Communities and Local Government launched a debate called ‘local:vision’, which seeks to create a shared vision of what local government should be in the future. To find out more about ‘local:vision’ and to participate in the debate go to the Communities and Local Government website.
Lyons Inquiry
Informing current debate is the Lyons Inquiry, a review of local government and an exploration of its future role. The Lyons Inquiry argues that to build more prosperous communities, there should be greater local choice and less central control; that local councils should take responsibility for ‘place-shaping’ - the general well being of the area, the people who live there and their interests. More information about the Lyons Inquiry is available at www.lyonsinquiry.org.uk.