Question

Merits of local government

Answer 1

The Advantages. Local authorities are able to adapt to local needs and react more quickly to local problems than central government. Councillors and officers have an understanding of the local area and can tailor policies to that area.

Local authorities are able to adapt to local needs and react more quickly to local problems than central government. Councillors and officers have an understanding of the local area and can tailor policies to that area.

It is likely to be more efficient to run services locally than manage them from the centre. Local councils can also play an important role in coordination by bringing together the private sector, voluntary organisations and other public bodies to make sure that things happen.

Different local authorities have been able to innovate and produce new ideas which can be copied by others.  The idea of using a private firm for refuse collection at lower cost instead of the council’s own workforce was pioneered by the Conservative council in Southend and then adopted by the Thatcher Government. The Labour council in Lambeth is involving people with mental health issues in redesigning the services that they use.

Local government is closer to the public and allows them to have a more direct voice in the running of services.  People can vote according to how well the council is run and councils can carry out local referenda and consultations to allow local people to express their views. Councillors live nearby and so it is easier for voters to see them.

Local government allows people from the political parties to gain experience in politics and gain knowledge of issues such as transport, education and social care.  As well as becoming experienced local politicians they may become MPs and take their experience to Westminster.  This provides an alternative to the path into national politics which involves working for an MP or political party and, it could be argued, produces people with more understanding of real world issues.

Answer 2

Answer:

Merits of Local Government

• Local government is so near to the ordinary people.
• convenient for the ordinary people to approach the local government for solving their problems quickly with minimum cost.
• effective in protecting the local interest of the people.
• Ordinary people can be involved in decision making.
• perform various important functions which help in the development of a village or a locality.