Title

DEVOLUTION

Devolution is an opportunity, but it needs space to breathe

Reorganisation presents the opportunity to think more creatively about constitutions and place-based decision-making, and the creation of new strategic authorities provides the possibility of deepening democracy while power is devolved, says Catherine Howe

© The MJ / Mark Mercer

Rather than join the list of people having an opinion about what a Burnham Government might look like, I wanted to reflect on some of the mixed messages that we're getting in the meantime. 

I can't be the only person who is irritated and bemused by the tension between a strong narrative about community power, backed up by programmes such as Pride in Place, and what at times feels like a back-to-the-future reliance on performance dashboards and the proposed neighbourhood guarantee. We need to be careful, or we risk squeezing local government in the middle.

Dr Catherine Howe

Popular articles by Dr Catherine Howe

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING

Get unlimited access to The MJ with a subscription, plus a weekly copy of The MJ magazine sent directly to you door and inbox.

Subscribe

Full website content includes additional, exclusive commentary and analysis on the issues affecting local government.

Login

Already a subscriber?