NLGN’s new research paper, Future Councillors: Where next for local politics, supported by Grant Thornton, maps the future role of elected members. As councils make the toughest financial decisions for a generation, they must redouble their efforts to improve electoral turnout and civic participation. Otherwise they could face paralysing local resistance from groups disconnected from the democratic process. The call emerged from the new research paper as localism think tank NLGN, argues that improving democratic engagement should be as important as delivering cleaner streets or better public health. The research paper describes the pressure on local government’s approach to democratic engagement, as councils commission more of their services, cut functions and deal with new technology transforming the practice of politics.
Click below to find out more about the document and download a copy:
http://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/2013/future-councillors-where-next-for-local-politics/