Organisational change and political will : a study of decentralisation and democratisation in Harlow

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Organisational change and political will : a study of decentralisation and democratisation in Harlow

Lucy Gaster

SAUS, Decentralisation Research and Information Centre, 1993

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Description and Table of Contents

Description

Decentralization is a complicated and challenging process. If successful, it can help local authorities to work flexibly and responsively with their consumers and local community whilst also providing a context to counter the current fragmentation of local government. Decentralization, if accompanied by developed management, budgets and political decision-making, can both begin to empower local people and achieve a more efficient use of ever scarce resources. This study is an account of decentralization in action in one local authority. The report charts the changes in attitudes over the first 18 months on implementation. It gives an account of the process of organizational change, the development of a new culture and the key role of elected counsellors. Practical lessons to help inform decisions about the way forward are provided. Students and teachers interested in management and local democracy will find here a living example of rapid and dramatic changes in one local authority which has transformed its culture and, under an increasingly restricted financial regime, is succeeding in forging real links and alliances with local people.

Table of Contents

  • Part 1 Introduction: background to the research
  • framework for analysis
  • research methodology. Part 2 The geography and political structure of Harlow: the town
  • the "pilot" neighbourhoods. Part 3 Monitoring decentralization and democratization - structure, people and processes: physical structures - the neighbourhood office environment
  • staffing the neighbourhood offices
  • the role of neighbourhood offices
  • styles of neighbourhood working
  • interdepartmental relationships
  • centre-local relations
  • the role of councillors
  • local democracy and area committees
  • quality services, user views and equal opportunities
  • the service infrastructure
  • mood and morale. Part 4 Evaluation and recommendations: evaluating decentralization and democratization.

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