LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM

Early day motion 1719, tabled 29 October 1998 by Lord Whitehead (Labour). Signed by 66 members.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Government's White Paper Modern Local Government: In Touch with the People and the package of reform contained in it, including new political structures to suit councils' role as community leaders, the strengthening of local financial accountability, a new ethical framework, a new duty on councils to promote the economic, social and environmental welfare of their areas, and a new duty on councils to deliver best value in the delivery of services; acknowledges the progress already made by local authorities in each of these policy areas; recognises that each part of the package is dependent on all the other parts; calls for as much as possible of the package to be contained in legislation at the earliest possible date to ensure local authorities maintain the drive to take forward the improvement agenda; calls for early publication in draft form of elements that are not immediately legislated upon; and would welcome an agreed way forward for local government through other interim measures.

Signatures by party: Labour 61, Labour/Co-operative 5.