Title

It is just as well that the BBC has a long-established commitment to impartiality. Otherwise, the organisation now overseen by Sir Michael Lyons might well have taken a very large hatchet to the Government's recent White Paper Communities in control: Real people, real powers. 

Before taking on the role of chair of the BBC Trust, Sir Michael, as most local government observers are aware, spent almost three years undertaking an inquiry into local government in England. His report, delivered in 2007 was a model of rigorous analysis and lucid presentation.

Tasked by the Government with reviewing the role and financing of local government, Sir Michael presented a thoughtful, balanced and persuasive case for progressive reform. Some commentators were disappointed that Sir Michael didn't advocate a ‘big bang' approach. But most recognised that his skillfully-crafted incremental approach provided a politically-acceptable route map.

At the time the report was published, Sir Michael was generously forbearing over the less-than-rapturous response it received from ministers. But imagine his feelings on reading the first White Paper on the subject to be published since he delivered his report.

It is not true that the Lyons review is entirely ignored. I did manage to find one reference to it, on page 21 of the White Paper. There may have been others. If so, I failed to find them. 
But what was deeply shocking to me was the total failure of the White Paper even to begin to address his report's main conclusions, which were fundamental to the future of local democracy in England. 

Even if the Government has, as it appears, decided to take no action on the recommendations of such an important report, it surely has an obligation to explain why. No such explanation is offered. 

Instead, we are offered a series of embarrassing photographs of people holding placards proclaiming, ‘I want to have my say', ‘I want to put things right' or ‘I want to get involved'.

The advertising agency which arranged the photoshoot no doubt persuaded ministers that these trite images represented the aspirations of ‘real people'. To this observer, however, they represent only the substitution of cliché and platitude for serious analysis.

Many commentators have reflected on the decline in the quality of government publications in recent years. 

White Papers used to be regarded as authoritative, evidence-based statements of policy, and the firm foundations on which new legislation might be justified. 

The 2001 local government White Paper Strong local leadership: Quality public services, for example, made the case for a new performance-management regime and a raft of new freedoms and flexibilities for local government. 

The Comprehensive Performance Assessment, the prudential borrowing regime, the power to trade and the power to charge for discretionary services were all part of the package. These were important devolutionary reforms which have helped local government to up its game. It is, therefore, a case of real sadness that the first White Paper on local government since the Lyons inquiry, has so spectacularly failed to address the key themes he highlighted.

This is not to say that the issues covered in the White Paper are not important. It has been recognised for some time that we must explore new ways in which citizens can become more actively involved in local democracy. This was the theme of the consultation paper on neighbourhood engagement issued by the Government in early 2005 which, in turn, led on to David Miliband's advocacy of ‘double devolution'. 

But, as that memorable phrase makes clear, citizen empowerment is one part of a larger picture. Devolving more power and financial discretion to democratic local government is also fundamental, as Sir Michael Lyons rightly concluded. It is regrettable that the Government apparently has so little to say on this part of the equation.

Nick Raynsford is the former local government minister