The Resurgence of Parish Council Powers in England

ISBN-13: 9783030451271 / Angielski / Twarda / 2020 / 108 str.

Alistair Jones

Spis treści

Chapter 1: Introduction: What is a Parish Council?

Introduction

Historical development of parish councils

The 'constitutional' position

The geographical spread of parish councils

Research methods

Conclusion

 

Chapter 2: The drive for more cost-effective local government

Introduction

Bigger is better: the push for larger units of local government

Austerity: the need to save money

Localism

Conclusion

 

Chapter 3 - The rise of parish councils?

Introduction

Parish plans

Parish precept

Planning

Transport

Developing partnerships

Representation

Conclusion

 

Chapter 4 - An International Comparison

Introduction

European Charter of Local Self-Government

Portugal

Poland

Jamaica

Trinidad and Tobago

Germany

Denmark

Sweden

Czech Republic

Conclusion

 

Chapter 5 - The Issue of Capacity

Introduction

Capacity to do what?

Capacity building

Community capacity building

Leadership

Conclusion

 

Chapter 6 - Conclusion: A Resurgence in Parish Councils?

Introduction

Closeness to the Community

The constitutional position revisited

A drive from the centre?

Lesson learning from overseas

Conclusions

O autorze

Alistair Jones is Associate Professor in Politics, and University Teacher Fellow, at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. He has written several books on British Politics (including Contemporary Developments in British Politics and Government, with P. Cocker) and on the European Union (Britain and the European Union).   

Blurb

Parish councils are often underappreciated and undervalued in what they do even though they are an essential part of the governing of England today. In spite of this, the number of parish councils and the roles they perform are increasing. This book explores the reasons for this apparent resurgence in parish councils. Some of it is a response to local demand, especially with the impact of austerity on local government as a whole. At the same time, austerity measures have seen moves to much larger units of local government. Again, the demand for a more local tier of government has resulted in the creation of new parish councils. There is a huge caveat and this is in relation to capacity. Do these new councils have the capacity to deliver the services demanded of them?

Alistair Jones is Associate Professor in Politics, and University Teacher Fellow, at De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. He has written several books on British Politics (including Contemporary Developments in British Politics and Government, with P. Cocker) and on the European Union (Britain and the European Union).