A think tank is calling for more support for existing councillors and improvements in the way people can become councillors to deal with the lack of demographic diversity among elected members of local authorities. The Local Government Information Unit says greater diversity would improve decision making.

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Nineteen Welsh local councils are to get a share of more than 25 million pounds to invest in areas that have regneration potential but which need assistance. The cash will go to 36 housing renewal areas across the authorities, each of which has its own action plan to improve housing and other facilities as a means of kick-starting wider investment.

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By Michael Duggett

This article was first published in Public Management and Policy and is reproduced by permission of the Association. http://www.cipfa.org.uk/pmpa/index.cfm

The New Public Management approach to managing public services emerged in the 1990’s and was seen as the way to drive out frustrating bureaucracy, cut waste and sharpen management. Its proponents argued that the cultural change it produced would enhance public sector performance and deliver value for money. Its influence was world wide. Time has revealed that the high expectations have not been met. The search is now on for a slimmer, thinned-down, version of New Public Management to progress reform in the 21st century.

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