Joined up policy in practice? The coherence and impacts of the local government modernisation agenda

Downe, James Daniel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0772-3183 and Martin, Stephen James ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1883-5837 2006. Joined up policy in practice? The coherence and impacts of the local government modernisation agenda. Local Government Studies 32 (4) , pp. 465-488. 10.1080/03003930600793045

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Abstract

The last decade has witnessed a raft of new policies designed to transform the politics and performance of local authorities in the UK. Over the next three years, a specially commissioned themed section of Local Government Studies will explore the impact of these policies drawing on recent empirical studies by leading researchers in the field. This paper, the first in the series, sets the scene by tracing the evolution of key policies, analysing their objectives and assessing the extent to which they can, as central government has claimed, be seen as a coherent package of complementary policies. It concludes that whilst at first sight the links between policies within the Local Government Modernisation Agenda are not obvious, policies have become increasingly holistic. Local authority officers perceive them to be interacting in ways that contribute to the achievement of service improvement, more effective community leadership, increased stakeholder engagement, greater accountability and increased public confidence. However, the lack of ‘joined up’ working across Whitehall presents significant problems for councils and other agencies that are responsible for local service delivery and a continuing challenge for central government.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	J Political Science > JS Local government Municipal government
Publisher:	Routledge
ISSN:	0300-3930
Last Modified:	08 Dec 2022 11:05
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/37638

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