Publication Type: Report

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The state of local government finance 2023: survey results

To better understand the true picture of council finances in England, the Local Democracy Research Centre surveyed chief executives, directors of finance, and council leaders and cabinet members on topics related to local government finance.

Publication
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Personal safety for councillors

Our personal safety is something many of us take for granted, this short guide offers some guidance on assessing risk and adopting strategies and behaviours that will minimise any potential hazards you might identify as part of your councillor role.

England & Wales, Scotland Publication

Devometrics: How to measure decentralisation – objective and subjective approaches

In this second paper looking at the decentralisation of power in UK governance the authors look at the challenges we face in developing measures that will capture the diversity and nuances of the governance system. They discuss possible ways of dealing with those challenges, focussing on the policy sphere.

England & Wales, Scotland Publication

Local health systems: relationships not structures

In this paper, based on interviews with council officers, we seek to develop an understanding of local government’s role within systems for health and wellbeing.

England & Wales Publication

Devometrics: How to Measure Decentralisation? A Review of the Literature

How can we measure, understand and compare the decentralisation of power in different contexts? In this first paper in our Devometrics project with the University of Kent Paolo Dardanelli and Kieran Wright scope out the issues and challenges, appraise current approaches and begin to apply them in practical contexts.

Global Publication

The mechanics of devolving power

Building on a framework of dimensions of autonomy, Mark Sandford, Senior Researcher at the House of Commons Library, looks at the mechanisms and processes that need to be in place to devolve and decentralise power. The analysis focusses on English local government, but the framework has wider implications and will be of interest within other…

Global Publication

A New Settlement: place and wellbeing in local government

In this paper we argue that building back better after the pandemic must include a new settlement for place that reconnects the government’s “levelling up” ambitions with the decentralisation of power in England.

England & Wales Publication
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An introduction to overview and scrutiny

This guide has been produced for elected members who are involved in the council’s overview and scrutiny process and want to develop their questioning skills. 

England & Wales Publication

A New Settlement: Place and Wellbeing in Local Government

Following the upheaval of the past year, the time is right for a radical restructuring of power, politics and policy around the needs of local places. That’s why we argue in this paper, and in the full report that will be published on Wednesday 16 June, that the UK needs a new “settlement for place”.…

England & Wales Publication