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_ HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL _
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_ POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE _
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_ 24 APRIL 1995 _
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_ PROPOSALS FOR A SINGLE LOCAL AUTHORITY ASSOCIATION _
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_ REPORT OF COUNTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE _
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1. Introduction
1.1 Over the last three years discussions have been proceeding
between the ACC, ADC and AMA regarding the establishment of a
Single Local Authority Association. Sufficient support emerged
for a prospectus to be issued for consultation last year and this
was considered by the Policy and Resources Committee at their
meeting in September. At that time, whilst supporting the
general principle of a single association, the Committee
highlighted a number of areas of concern - notably about the size
of the forum with in excess of 700 members, and the dangers of
regional rivalries replacing rivalries between tiers.
1.2 A final Proposal document has now been issued, which takes on
board a number of the concerns raised during the consultation
process. All local authorities have been asked to consider this
Proposal, and indicate whether they would support the dissolution
of their existing Association with effect from April 1996.
1.3 This report summarises key features of the Proposal, and how it
has been received by county councils so far. Recommendations are
made on the response we should now make to the ACC.
2. The Proposal for a Local Government Association (LGA)
2.1 The key objective of the LGA would be to enhance the status and
promote the interests of local government. Other objectives
would be:-
- to provide forums for the discussion of matters of common
concern;
- to assist groupings of local authorities in expressing
sectional interests and making representations accordingly;
- to promote the policies of the Association and provide
information on local government issues;
- to ensure that all political parties can contribute to the
Association's work and to the development of policies which
represent as far as possible a consensus between them and
the groups of authorities in membership of the LGA.
2.2 Voting: All member authorities would be represented on a general
assembly. In two tier areas each district council would have one
vote, and the county council's vote would equal the total votes
of the district councils in its area. The votes for unitary
authorities would be assessed on the basis of the ratio of the
total unitary population to the total two tier population,
divided between unitary authorities on the basis of population
bands.
2.3 Allocation of Seats: Seats on Standing Committees would reflect
political proportionality and provide a balance between different
types of authorities. As now, county councils would be able to
make appointments centrally rather than via regional voting.
2.4 Finance and Assets: Subscriptions would be assessed on the basis
of voting strength on the General Assembly, with a maximum of
£100,000 and a minimum of £7,000 p.a. In the initial years a
damping formula would apply, to limit increases or decreases to
no more than 10% of current subscription levels. The differing
assets and liabilities of the current Associations would continue
to be held separately by the groups of authorities concerned.
3. Commentary
3.1 The original impetus for a single Association came at a time when
the Government appeared intent on abolishing virtually all county
councils and establishing a structure of unitary authorities
across England and Wales. Now that the final outcome of the
Review is much clearer, and a "hybrid" structure - not originally
envisaged by the Government - will apply in most counties, it
calls into question whether the proposals in the form in which
they have now emerged are still in the interests of county
government.
3.2 The ACC convened a meeting of all party group leaders of all
county councils last month when a number of conclusions were
reached virtually unanimously. Whilst the concept of "a single
voice" for local government was supported it was agreed that,
with the implementation of the Review not now likely in many
areas before 1997 or 1998, the suggestion of establishing a
single Association from April 1996 should be firmly rejected.
3.3 More generally, there are strong reservations that the LGA, as
envisaged in the Proposal, does not give adequate scope for a
grouping of county councils with the power and ability to secure
the political and constitutional position of counties. Nor are
the voting arrangements regarded as acceptable by many county
councils.
3.4 The ADC and AMA are still pressing hard for implementation of the
new Association from April 1996, although it is evident that not
all their member authorities would support such a step.
3.5 It should be emphasised that, so far as county councils are
concerned, a "do nothing" option is not feasible. With the
establishment of a structure of 22 unitary authorities in Wales
and perhaps ultimately a further 58 in England, the ACC faces an
inevitable significant loss of population which is the basis on
which subscriptions are assessed. There are further
uncertainties should the new police authorities decide at some
later date to establish their own association jointly with those
covering the metropolitan areas.
In the face of this, the ACC is examining contingency plans which
would involve increased subscription levels and/or reductions in
the services it is able to offer the member counties.
4. A Preferred Way Forward
4.1 Against this background, County group leaders have considered
that the LGA concept needs to be reworked, to operate on a more
federal basis, so that there would continue to be relatively
distinct "associations" of counties, districts and metropolitan
authorities but with an overarching federal body through which a
"single voice" could be expressed.
4.2 Such an approach could have three phases:-
(a) with immediate effect, strengthening joint working between
the Associations on matters of common interest.
(b) From 1997, when the Review outcome is clear, a "federal"
system would be set up, based on the existing Associations
but with a formal joint council which would speak for local
government on all matters of common interest. This requires
detailed work to evaluate alternative federal models.
(c) When all authorities are ready, a fully fledged single
Association would be established.
5. Recommendations:
5.1 This more pragmatic approach is a much more sensible way forward.
Whilst the Review is still running it would certainly not be in
the interests of county government to dissolve the present
arrangements, and the proposed 1996 timetable is in any event
quite unrealistic.
5.2 In these circumstances it is recommended that the ACC be
advised:-
(i) That the County Council rejects the proposal to establish a
Single Local Government Association in 1996.
(ii) That the County Council endorses the proposed programme of
work to develop a "federal" alternative model for discussion
with the other local authority associations.
7AR07495
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