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Whoever wins the election, local government can look forward to a raft of changes, as new ministers seek to grapple with the fiscal deficit. Voters have little idea what is coming their way. Both Conservative and Labour seek – and have sought to build – community involvement. ‘In my experience, there is no service which cannot be improved by the active involvement of local people, and no challenge that cannot be better met by harnessing their energy and initiative,' says David Cameron. Actually, he didn't – it was Hazel Blears, which just shows that CLG has already been at this for a while. Ben Page is Chief Executive of Ipsos MORI As old local government hands know, of course, while a small minority want to ‘join the government of Britain', the rest want cost-effective local services, and to be told what's going on, with the chance to have a say if they need it. Only 2% get actively involved. Most like the sound of a ‘Big society', but they'd rather someone else went to the meetings. Whoever forms a government, we need sharp clarity on the way future settlements are likely to go, allowing informed planning, as well as the management of expectations with local taxpayers. The councils which will do best in the next period will be many of the usual suspects already running a tight ship, but also those which can communicate effectively about the choices taxpayers face locally. Mr Cameron singled out local government newsletters as waste, and even Tory flagship councils such as Hammersmith and Fulham LBC have been criticised by their own ministers over their newsletters, although its funny how many newsletters would-be central government politicians are sending me at the moment in my marginal constituency. After 6 May having a ‘Big conversation' is going to be as important as the Big society – and doing this with less resources will be a challenge. Ben Page is Chief Executive of Ipsos MORI

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WHITEHALL

Soap Box

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