Great Britain: new local government structures

The local government map of Britain has been redrawn. This article explains both the government's objectives and the outcome of the restructuring process against an historical background. It provides platform for local case studies of the changing pattern of local administration and service delivery. Redrawing the local government map is fraught with difficulties, because the general principles promoted by those seeking uniformity, efficiency and effectiveness invariably run up against local loyalties and conflicting interest groups. This is especially likely to be the case when extensive local consultation is involved, and the government gives a commitment to reflect local opinion (usually divided) in its final decisions. The contrasting outcome of the current restructuring between Scotland and Wales on the one hand and England on the other illustrates this trap - which the government appears to have fallen into.