|
［Central Local Partnership: introduction（出典：ODPMホームページ）］
［資料1］
Introduction
This site gives information on the Central Local Partnership, including the framework under which it operates, its members and minutes of meetings held.
In November 1997, the Rt Hon John Prescott MP on behalf of the Government and Sir Jeremy Beecham, on behalf of the Local Government Association, signed the document A Framework for Partnership, governing relations between central and local government.
The document acknowledged that central and local government are mutually dependent, and made clear that their agreed objectives could best be delivered by a partnership in which they respected each others roles, and worked together in the development and implementation of policy.
In addition to promoting joint working, the framework document governs the arrangements for full and effective consultation on all matters of common concern, and for public announcements and the exchange of information.
The Government and the Local Government Association are committed to continuing to work together to promote a closer understanding between central and local government and to ensure delivery of improved public services. Both sides therefore have reaffirmed their commitment to the Framework Agreement.
In situations where either side believes the agreement has not been observed, the Chairman of the LGA and the Deputy Prime Minister will seek to resolve any disagreement in correspondence.
The Partnership meets regularly to consider major issues affecting local government in England. The meetings identify joint policy objectives or areas where joint programmes of work between Departments and the LGA would be beneficial.
Forthcoming CLP dates:
12 May 2004
14 - 15 October 2004
A Framework For Partnership
The Government and the Local Government Association ("the LGA") are committed to work together in order to strengthen and sustain local elected government in England and improve local service provision.
Central government, by the authority of Parliament, has responsibility for determining the powers and duties of local government, and setting the framework for local government and local service provision. The Government and the LGA have agreed that the framework should:
・promote effective local democracy, with strong and accountable political leadership;
・support continuous improvement in the quality of local government services, helping councils to make a real difference for their communities;
・support consideration in partnership of priorities for local government, and the definition of an agreed list of priorities;
・increase the discretion and local accountability of local authorities on expenditure and revenue raising matters, within such disciplines as are essential to national economic policy;
・enable and encourage local authorities to modernize and revitalize their structures and working practices so as to provide accountable and responsive leadership for local communities;
・as a general principle, provide for services and decision making affecting local communities to be undertaken at the level which is closest to the people and area to be served, consistent with competence, practicality and cost effectiveness; and
・?uphold standards of conduct in public life, founded on principles of selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
Central and local government are mutually dependent, and these objectives can best be delivered by a partnership in which central and local government support and respect each other's roles, and work together in the development and implementation of policy. In recognition of the independent democratic legitimacy of local government, the Government has signed and ratified the Council of Europe's Charter of Local Self-Government. It has also agreed with the LGA the attached framework for the conduct of relations between central and local government.
Schedule
Arrangements for the Conduct of Central-Local Relations
Central Local Partnership Meeting
1. The Government and the LGA have established the Central Local Partnership Meeting, which will meet regularly to consider major issues affecting local government in England and other issues to which local government can contribute. These meetings will oversee implementation of the joint approach to central-local government relations, and will regularly review the operation of this agreement. The meetings will allow joint consideration and agreement on a single list of priorities for local government. They will also identify joint policy objectives or areas where joint programmes of work between Departments and the LGA would be beneficial. Within the framework of the Partnership meetings, other meetings at Ministerial and official level, including specific task and finish groups, will provide the forum for discussion of policies and joint actions on specific services and other specific issues.
Joint Working Arrangements
2. The Government and the LGA will work together as to promote:
a. cooperation and a closer understanding between central and local government, through for example, formal and informal consultation, joint working, staff exchanges, and exchanges of information consistent with data protection and confidentiality requirements;
b. the dissemination of good practice and Government initiatives to improve the quality of local services among local authorities and secure the application of nationally agreed minimum standards of service; and
c. through partnerships between local authorities and other agencies (in the public, voluntary, and private sectors), the provision of coordinated and accessible public services that meet the needs of those who use them and that make the best use of information technology, combined points of access and flexible means of service delivery.
Consultation
3. The Government and the LGA agree that there shall be full and effective consultation between central and local government on all matters of common concern (with the exception of matters relating to national security). The Government accepts the need to have regard to the views of local government, and the benefit of local government's experience, in making decisions which affect local authorities and the communities they serve. In order to facilitate this the Government recognizes the LGA as the representative body for local government in England and Wales.
4. As early as practicable within the constraints of proper confidentiality surrounding cabinet and budget proceedings, the Government will consult the LGA on policy developments which affect local government and local communities (other than in the case of proposals which would have effect only in the area of particular authorities).
5. The time allowed for consultation will be sufficient to allow a considered and representative response to be prepared, taking account of holiday periods. Normally six weeks will be allowed, but this will not always be possible, for example where the Government is constrained by financial or Parliamentary timetables. Where the LGA consents to be consulted on a confidential basis, the LGA will honour the limits of such confidentiality.
6. In particular, there will be consultation about:
a. financial issues relevant to local government, including the arrangements and guidelines for the distribution of grants to local authorities, and other financial arrangements; the Government will set out the key factual data underlying any calculations;
b. preparation and planning for the implementation of new legislation, including legislation on local government functions, affecting local authorities;
c. European legislation and policy issues of direct relevance to local government, where the Government is required to form a view in international fora, in particular the EU and the Council of Europe; and
d. appointment by the Government of representatives of local government to other bodies, whether at regional, national or international level.
7. The Government and the LGA will seek to work in partnership in the production of advice and guidance to local authorities, and in devising practical measures to enable authorities to implement new legislation effectively and consistently. The LGA will assist in disseminating, reviewing and updating information about policy and operational changes.
8. The LGA will encourage its members to complete Government statistical returns fully and on time, to provide information required by statute fully and promptly and to present audited grant and subsidy claims punctually. The Government will seek to ensure that returns required are necessary, are made available to local government in an accessible manner, are organized and collected in the most efficient manner possible.
9. When the Government proposes legislation or regulation which imposes new burdens on local authorities, the Government will discuss, where practicable, the estimated cost of those new burdens with the LGA, and will be prepared to review these costs subsequently. The Government also undertakes to work with the LGA to identify unnecessary regulation and to remove it.
10. Where the Government considers that a local authority (or a local authority service) is falling below an acceptable standard, it will work with the authority concerned to secure improvements. Where support is provided from within the local government community it will generally be under the guidance of the IDeA. The Government reserves its right to exercise any powers under statute to intervene in cases of service failure, and will discuss with the LGA its policy for the use of those powers, including how best to facilitate a supportive role for the LGA.
Public Announcements and Exchange of Information
11. The Government will always convey announcements (i.e. Parliamentary statements, publications, and news releases) directly concerning local government to the LGA no later than to the media. Where announcements are provided to the media on an embargoed basis, in advance of publication or as soon after as Parliamentary protocol permits, they will be provided to the LGA on the same terms. Announcements by the LGA concerning central Government will always be conveyed to the Departments concerned no later than to the media. Where announcements are provided to the media on an embargoed basis, in advance of publication, they will be provided to the Government on the same terms.
12. The Government and LGA will each keep the other informed of their activities and of their proposals and policies. Where policies or proposals are founded upon consultants' or research reports each will, wherever practicable, provide copies of those reports and other factual analysis (but not necessarily advice based on them) to the other.
Membership
Secretary of State for Home Department
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs
Secretary of State for Transport
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Secretary of State for Education and Skills
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Ian McCartney Labour Party Chairman
Wendy Thomson OPSR
Alistair McGowan Number 10
From ODPM:
Deputy Prime Minister - Chair
Nick Raynsford
Keith Hill
Phil Hope
Yvette Cooper - depending on the agenda
Lord Rooker - depending on the agenda
Mavis McDonald
|
