In collaboration with Sheffield City Council, Sheffield for Democracy is hosting 'Renaissance of Local Government?' to discuss proposals to strengthen the independence of local government.

 The last fifty years have seen a growing centralisation of power in England with local government having less autonomy and becoming more and more local administration of central government policy.

The Westminster Select Committee on Political and Constitutional Reform has made some radical proposals which could change this and are consulting on them. This meeting is an opportunity to hear about these changes and their implications, and to discuss how they might improve our democracy.

Joining us on the panel to help us explore the proposed changes are:

Clive Betts MP (The Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee chairman)

Howard Sykes (Local Government Association and ex leader of Oldham Council),

 Peter Facey (Director of Unlock Democracy) 

To reserve a place, please contact Richard Cannon either by email: richard.cannon@sheffield.gov.uk or telephone: 0114 2736992

Both Sheffield City Council and Sheffield for Democracy will be making (separate) submissions and this discussion will inform our thinking.

Sheffield for Democracy welcomes supporters of all political parties or none. We want to engage and encourage greater participation of the public in democracy at a local level in Sheffield and encourage young people to become more interested in politics by making them aware of how relevant it is to their lives.

http://www.sheffieldfordemocracy.org.uk 

Further information on the draft code for central and local government can be found at:

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/political-and-constitutional-reform-committee/inquiries/parliament-2010/prospects-for-codifying-the-relationship-between-central-and-local-government/