2 November 2010
MPs are to consider whether relations between Whitehall and town halls should be formalised in writing.
The Commons political and constitutional reform committee
yesterday announced it was launching an inquiry
that will consider the practical issues of codifying the principles and
mechanics of the relationship between central and local government.
Among the questions the inquiry will attempt to answer are: what degree of independence councils should be given; what powers they should be given; and whether the devolution settlement provides a suitable model for codification.
The coalition has no formal policy on codifying the status of local government, but Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told the Commons in June that he ‘strongly’ agreed that now was an ‘opportunity to codify and formalise the relationship between central and local government’.
The committee is first asking for written submissions to
address any or all of the questions it is posing. It will also hold a series of
public evidence sessions with a variety of witnesses including ministers and
local government representatives.
