The Changing Functions of Local Government

Abstract

Local authorities are important not only as instruments of democratic self-government; they remain immensely significant as providers of an extensive range of local community services. This chapter focuses on the changing nature of local authority functions, especially in the light of the advent of the ‘enabling authority’. Service provision in contemporary local government is far from straightforward. Indeed, it seems likely that in the next few years elected local authorities will increasingly share their service delivery with a range of other institutions and agencies. Private commercial organisations and voluntary bodies are assuming a more prominent role in local service delivery. Additionally, in urban areas central government agencies, quangos and joint boards are involved with service provision. The result is considerable fragmentation and potential confusion for the consumer. Nevertheless, this chapter argues that new developments such as the advent of compulsory competitive tendering (see also Chapter 19) should not obscure the extensive role as providers which local authorities still enjoy.