FabSwingers.com forum: LGR (Local Government Reorganisation)

By *r.Average OP Man
2 weeks ago

Hampshire

Just gauging people's opinions really.

Do you know much about it?

If so, how do you feel about it?

Complications/impact?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oubleswing2019Man
2 weeks ago

Colchester

I am familiar with it, yes.

One the plus side, one Council that oversees everything is simpler. It should have greater procurement power. Less duplication of roles. Less fragmented decision making.

On the negative side, there is valid criticism that nuance in local areas will be lost (loss of local identity). Reorganisation will lead to job cuts and integration issues.

My gut feel is that there will be "teething troubles". There will be a lot of uncertainty about who does what, and this will delay decision-making.

For example take "Bob". Bob works in Planning for the local council. Bob has done the role for 10 years and knows all the in's and outs in his area.

Sarah in the new Super Council is going to take on Bob's job. Sarah has no idea of the nuances of Bob's job in his local area, as she oversees a much larger area. Bob's left already. There was little if any handover. Sarah will just have to "muddle through" as best as she can.

I see a lot of that occuring.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r.Average OP Man
2 weeks ago

Hampshire

I agree, the loss of localised knowledge could definitely pose a problem in the future.

I think the danger spanning from that is that people fell less "connected", partly due to issues like these which disenfranchises them from... well, democracy.

While it looks good on paper, I can't see savings being made for many decades.

The main benefit could possibly come from savvy authorities looking to redesign their services with a more "preventative" approach, considering adult and children services are the major burden (which central government gladly wiped their hands from).

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iquanteMan
2 weeks ago

Birmingham

"I agree, the loss of localised knowledge could definitely pose a problem in the future.

I think the danger spanning from that is that people fell less "connected", partly due to issues like these which disenfranchises them from... well, democracy.

While it looks good on paper, I can't see savings being made for many decades.

Voter turnout in local elections in England is about 35% and has been low for decades.

I think people are already “disconnected” from local government.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *inky PerkyCouple
2 weeks ago

Narnia

"I agree, the loss of localised knowledge could definitely pose a problem in the future.

I think the danger spanning from that is that people fell less "connected", partly due to issues like these which disenfranchises them from... well, democracy.

While it looks good on paper, I can't see savings being made for many decades.

Voter turnout in local elections in England is about 35% and has been low for decades.

I think people are already “disconnected” from local government."

This. It doesn't take long for local government to treat residents as nothing more than a revenue source.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ools and the brainCouple
2 weeks ago

couple, us we him her.

I can understand why are city or town wants a mayor but a whole county??

The up and coming changes to Hampshire are in my opinion going to be a disaster, I'm probably going to lose my job as will many people.

Use the money it's going to cost to pay off the council's debt.

Start afresh and cut all the unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape that ultimately causes alot of the cost's.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oubleswing2019Man
2 weeks ago

Colchester

"I think people are already “disconnected” from local government."

In what way exactly ?

My local council have a decent public facing webpage. I can easily find what I am looking for on there.

The main page offers residents to chance to join a Resident's Panel to contribute to local views.

There's a link to subscribe to newsletters with more news.

I'd say that's pretty good engagement where most people would naturally look.

I don't disconnected at all.

I imagine other councils do the same, don't they ?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iquanteMan
2 weeks ago

Birmingham

"I think people are already “disconnected” from local government.

In what way exactly ?

My local council have a decent public facing webpage. I can easily find what I am looking for on there.

The main page offers residents to chance to join a Resident's Panel to contribute to local views.

There's a link to subscribe to newsletters with more news.

I'd say that's pretty good engagement where most people would naturally look.

I don't disconnected at all.

I imagine other councils do the same, don't they ?"

So you think that a Council having a website means that people are engaged with it?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *inky PerkyCouple
2 weeks ago

Narnia

"I think people are already “disconnected” from local government.

In what way exactly ?

My local council have a decent public facing webpage. I can easily find what I am looking for on there.

The main page offers residents to chance to join a Resident's Panel to contribute to local views.

There's a link to subscribe to newsletters with more news.

I'd say that's pretty good engagement where most people would naturally look.

I don't disconnected at all.

I imagine other councils do the same, don't they ?"

Yes, but I'm not sure how effective "sharing local views" is in terms of getting stuff done.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *abioMan
2 weeks ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

In some places you have parish councils below local councils below county councils… 3 layers of governance isn’t what is needed

As long as there set boundaries for who deals with what I don’t mind the local council/ county council structure.. or local council/ mayoral structure

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r.Average OP Man
2 weeks ago

Hampshire

"This. It doesn't take long for local government to treat residents as nothing more than a revenue source."

Well run ones don't. They know they're there to serve and help people. Most people don't work in local government for the money.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *r.Average OP Man
2 weeks ago

Hampshire

The up and coming changes to Hampshire are in my opinion going to be a disaster, I'm probably going to lose my job as will many people.

Yeah, Hampshire is a mess.

We'll see, I guess

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oath30Man
2 weeks ago

Cardiff

"I agree, the loss of localised knowledge could definitely pose a problem in the future.

I think the danger spanning from that is that people fell less "connected", partly due to issues like these which disenfranchises them from... well, democracy.

While it looks good on paper, I can't see savings being made for many decades.

Sarah will be local from somewhere, and apply empathy to 'other people's ' local issues and still carry out a professional job

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread