This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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White Paper on local democracy
27/03/2002
A White Paper taking forward the principles of the
Kerley report into the future of local government is
published by the Executive today.
Renewing Local Democracy: The Next Stepsis part of the Executive's drive to modernise local
government. It deals with a wide range of issues
including who councillors are, how they are rewarded, and
how they are elected.
Minister for Finance and Public Services Andy Kerr
said:
"The purpose of this paper is to emphasise the
importance of local government in the Executive's overall
policy framework and to provide an Executive response to
the issues of governance covered in previous reports. It
covers a wide range of areas - including the creation of a
new framework for capital investment, a move I am confident
will be warmly welcomed by local authorities as it
introduces a significant level of local flexibility.
"The Executive's views are not prescriptive and views
are sought in response to the analysis given and the
questions posed.
"We recognise that councils are crucial to the public
service delivery agenda, but they are about much more than
that. Councils provide a vehicle for making local choices
and setting local priorities. Councils represent their
communities to the Executive, to the Scottish Parliament,
to Westminster and to Europe. We understand the important
and responsible role of councillors within their local
communities, and that the demands and pressures placed on
them have changed and increased rapidly, in a short period
of time."
Responding to a Parliamentary Question from Sylvia
Jackson, Mr Kerr added:
"We indicated in December last year that we would bring
forward proposals for taking forward the principles of
Kerley before the Easter Recess. We have published
Renewing Local Democracy: The Next
Steps which fulfils that commitment. The document includes
consideration of issues such as future governance,
councillors' remuneration and options for electoral
reform.
"There will now be a four month consultation period on
the options set out in the document and we would welcome
comments from all those with an interest in the future of
local government. Shortly after Parliament reconvenes in
September 2002 the Executive will set out the next steps in
relation to legislation and the future governance of
Councils."
Deputy Minister for Education and Young People Nicol
Stephen said:
"This is a very significant White Paper. It is the first
Government document to include options for proportional
representation for local government in Scotland. Everyone
in Scotland - and not just councillors - should get
involved in the consultation process that starts today. It
is vital to discover the strength of feeling about making
local government more accountable and representative of the
views of the people who elect it.
"This document will stimulate a debate about Scottish
local democracy, helping to strengthen the connection of
people and communities with their councils."
The Kerley Report into Renewing Local Democracy was
published in June 2000. Following its publication the
Executive established the Ministerial Working Group on
Renewing Local Democracy to consider the Kerley
recommendations. In the second Programme for Government,
published earlier this year the Executive stated: "We are
committed to continuing to make progress on electoral
reform and the wider modernisation of local
government."