Abstract
This chapter starts by recognizing that a range of appointed bodies and quangos play a substantial role in the governance of local communities. The strengths and weaknesses of such a position are then briefly reviewed. As a result three areas of possible reform are identified and examined: procedural reforms to ensure openness and fairness in the conduct of the affairs of these publicly funded organizations; institutional changes and developments in policy processes to tackle the problems of fragmentation and co-ordination raised by the rise and spread of quangos; and democratic reforms to facilitate the political accountability of these non-elected institutions.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Association of Metropolitan Authorities (1995) Changing the Face of Quangos(London: AMA).
Commission for Local Democracy (1995) Taking Charge: The Rebirth of Local Democracy(London: CLD).
Greer, A. and Hoggett, P. (1995) ‘ Non-Elected Bodies and Local Governance’, in J. Stewart, A. Greer and P. Hoggett,The Quango State: An Alternative Approach, CLD Research Report No. 10 (London: Commission for Local Democracy).
Hirst, P. (1995) ‘Quangos and Democratic Government’, in F. Ridley and D. Wilson (eds)The Quango Debate (Oxford: Oxford University Press) pp. 163–82.
Hogwood, B. and McVicar, M. (1996) ‘Agencies and Accountability’. Paper presented to ESRC Conference, 22–23 Manch.
Jones, M. (1996) TECs and Local Accountability: Options for Reform (London: Local Government Infonnation Unit).
Klein, R. and Day, D. (1987) Accountabilities in Five Public Services (London: Tavistock).
Labour Party (1995) Renewing Democracy, Rebuilding Communities (London: Labour Party).
CM 3270–1 (1996) Second Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (Nolan Report). Local Public Spending Bodies Volume 1: Report (London: HMSO).
Stewart, J. (1996) Reforming the Local Appointed Boards (London: Local Government Information Unit).
Whitehead, A. (1995) Holding Quangos to Account (London: Local Government Information Unit).
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Copyright information
© 1999 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Stoker, G. (1999). Quangos and Local Democracy. In: Flinders, M.V., Smith, M.J. (eds) Quangos, Accountability and Reform. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-27027-9_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-27027-9_4
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-27029-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-27027-9
eBook Packages: Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies CollectionPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)