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TOPIC: What is the role of the modern council?
What is the role of the modern council?
26 Sep 2017 18:20
#3207
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Basil Clarke  Topic Author |
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If you missed this interesting Radio 4 documentary, it's a useful look at how the role of borough councils has become greatly circumscribed over the last couple of decades. The programme is focused around a 1960s estate in the suburbs of Birmingham, but the changes that have occurred will be familiar to Enfield residents.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b095qv22 What is the role of the modern council? |
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What is the role of the modern council?
27 Sep 2017 09:18
#3210
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Darren Edgar  |
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Interestingly, perhaps ironically, this website and the purpose for its creation is a strong example of how the role of a modern council appears to be to divest itself of responsibility and devolve powers and influence to non-Council parties irrespective of the Council's over-riding duties and responsibilities.
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What is the role of the modern council?
27 Sep 2017 13:03
#3211
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Colin Younger |
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David's comment seems almost to be suggesting that divesting itself of responsibility is something which councils seek as a matter of high policy. It's not in their nature to reduce the scope of their activity unless they have a very strong ideological bent to do so. If there is any divesting of responsibility, it comes from central government passing down tasks to local government while constraining their funds.
Although I'm second to none in trumpeting PGC's achievements, I don't think its success has any influence in Enfield's decision making about what it does, if that is what is being suggested. |
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What is the role of the modern council?
28 Sep 2017 11:20
#3219
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Darren Edgar |
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Local Authorities deal with local matters. Central Government doesn't tell them to deal with national matters but not give them the cash to do so.
And PGC most certainly does influence, verging on direct, the decision making of EBC - most notably planning matters, obvioulsy. Lakes Estate has plenty of disgruntled residents that have had their planning decisions deferred to, and ostensibly made by, a 'committee' of just 3 local residents. |
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What is the role of the modern council?
28 Sep 2017 13:11
#3220
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Colin Younger |
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So why do you think that local government is divesting itself of responsibilities? Nothing to do with reductions in funding? Just a perverse wish to punish users of council services? A desire for a shrunken state? Maybe in Barnet I suppose, but hardly Enfield.
What happens over conservation isn't caused by PGC. PGC is merely a home for conservation issues and a convenient means of private communication (so avoiding masses of emails) which isn't visible to the council so can't possibly influence them. Local conservation groups aren't decision makers, though planning staff might try to avoid the heat by suggesting that they are. Shame on them if they do so. Conservation areas have a statutory basis and there is a proper process run by the council for establishing and regularly reviewing them which is open to public comment. The planners obligation is to consider whether applications "preserve or enhance" the character of the area. If planning applications run foul of the conservation area character assessments that's not the responsibility of conservation groups. If people would read the assessment before they decided on building work it might be easier for all concerned. |
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What is the role of the modern council?
28 Sep 2017 13:32
#3221
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Adrian Day |
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As one of the 'members' of the Friends of the Lakes Estate I endorse Colin's point. We are a local advisory group not decision-makers ; our role is to advise the LBE on local conservation issues using the Conservation Area Appraisal as our framework for comments. We are indeed a small group but actively encourage more people living on the Estate to join us ; the only stipulation is a commitment to the principles and practice in the Appraisal. Please contact us at if you would like to help.
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