An article drew on developments in transport policy to examine the relationship between Whitehall and the devolved Welsh Assembly Government.
Source: Stuart Cole, 'Transport governance in Wales: a study in devolved government', Contemporary Wales, Volume 20 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Nov
An article said that the principles adopted by the United Kingdom government to guide the reform of public administration in Northern Ireland – of subsidiarity, strong local government, 'coterminosity', and good relations – had not been met.
Source: Derek Birrell, 'The role of local government in the review of public administration in Northern Ireland: the challenges of enhancement, devolution and modernisation', Local Government Studies, Volume 33 Number 5
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Nov
An article examined developments in devolved government in Wales, in particular since the Government of Wales Act 2006.
Source: David Lambert and Marie Navarro, 'Some effects of the Government of Wales Act 2006: the Welsh journey from administrative decentralization passing through executive devolution to quasi-legislative devolution in less than eight years', Contemporary Wales, Volume 20 Number 1
Links: Abstract
Date: 2007-Nov
A report (written by the Secretary of State and the First Minister for Wales) set out the case for Wales remaining within the United Kingdom. Political union had brought advantages to Wales, at the same as devolution had also brought many benefits.
Source: Peter Hain MP and Rhodri Morgan AM, Wales United: Partnership for progress, Bevan Foundation (01495 725214)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Oct
The new Scottish Government set out its priorities – both legislative and non-legislative – for the year ahead, including 11 government Bills.
Source: Principles and Priorities: The Government's Programme for Scotland, Scottish Government (0131 556 8400)
Links: Report | SG press release | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2007-Sep
The Scottish Executive published a paper outlining different options for public debate on Scotland's constitutional future. It said that the principal choices were: a small extension of devolved powers; a radical redesign of devolution and greatly enhanced powers; and full independence.
Source: Choosing Scotland?s Future: A national conversation – Independence and responsibility in the modern world, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: Paper | SE press release | Scottish Parliament press release | Scotland Office press release | Compass press release | Guardian report | FT report
Date: 2007-Aug
The new Prime Minister (Gordon Brown MP) appointed a minister with responsibility for each of nine English regions (including one for London). The role of the new ministers would be to act as regional champions within government, and to represent the government in parliamentary debates and other forums on regional issues.
Source: Press release 28 June 2007, 10 Downing Street (020 7270 1234)
Links: Downing Street press release | Regeneration & Renewal report
Date: 2007-Jun
The Labour party won the largest number of seats in elections to the Welsh Assembly, and formed a minority administration.
Source: Press release 25 May 2007, Welsh Assembly Government (029 2082 5111)
Links: BBC report
Date: 2007-May
The elections watchdog announced that it would be undertaking a full, independent review of the May 2007 elections in Scotland. In particular, it would be focusing on the reasons for the high number of rejected ballots; failures in the electronic counting process; and the arrangements for postal voting.
Source: Press release 4 May 2007, Electoral Commission (020 7271 0500)
Links: Electoral Commission press release | ERS press release | Hansard | BBC report | FT report
Date: 2007-May
Agreement was reached between the main political parties in Northern Ireland on the basis for restoring devolved government.
Source: House of Commons Hansard, Debate 9 May 2007, columns 159-173, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Hansard | Guardian report | FT report | BBC report
Date: 2007-May
The government responded to a report by a committee of MPs on regional government. It recognized that, in order to maximize cities? contribution to regional and national economic performance, it needed to help them exert influence over the key market drivers operating at their spatial level, including their travel-to-work areas.
Source: Government Response to the Communities and Local Government Committee?s Report on the Future of Regional Government, Cm 7119, Department for Communities and Local Government, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Response | MPs report
Date: 2007-May
The Scottish National party won the largest number of seats in elections to the Scottish Parliament, and formed a minority administration.
Source: Press release 16 May 2007, Scottish Executive (0131 556 8400)
Links: SE press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-May
A think-tank report said that a regional dimension in public policy was crucial in drawing down powers from Whitehall and giving local government in England a stronger lead over otherwise 'quangoized' responsibilities. It set out a number of options for reform, including the merging of different regional policy strategies, and ministerial regional portfolios to scrutinize the work of regional bodies.
Source: Chris Leslie and Owen Dallison, Redesigning Regionalism: Leadership and accountability in England's regions, New Local Government Network (020 7357 0051)
Links: NLGN press release | FT report | Regeneration & Renewal report
Date: 2007-Mar
A report by a committee of MPs said that the government needed to rationalize the role of Government Offices for the Regions; improve the transparency and accountability of Regional Development Agencies; and enhance the effectiveness of Regional Assemblies.
Source: Is There a Future for Regional Government?, Fourth Report (Session 2006-07), HC 352, House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | LGA press release | ERN press release | Regeneration & Renewal report
Date: 2007-Mar
Agreement was reached between the two main political parties in Northern Ireland - Sinn Fein and the DUP - on a basis for the restoration of devolved political institutions on 8 May 2007.
Source: BBC report, 26 March 2007
Links: BBC report | Hansard | Downing Street press release | NIO press release (1) | NIO press release (2) | FT report | Guardian report
Date: 2007-Mar
The final report was published of an evaluation of the roles and impacts of the eight regional assemblies in England outside London. The study identified the collective role and impact of the assemblies, identifying good practice and transferable lessons.
Source: Ove Arup & Partners Ltd, Evaluation of the Role and Impact of Regional Assemblies, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Links: Report | Summary | Regeneration & Renewal report
Date: 2007-Mar
A think-tank report said that the cost of the Greater London Authority and Mayor of London, at over £300 per year for the average household in the capital, was too high. It was time to bring the costs under control by implementing rigorous budgetary controls, eliminating waste and pointless programmes, and by promoting greater efficiency in services.
Source: Victoria Borwick, The Cost of the London Mayor, Centre for Policy Studies (020 7222 4488)
Links: Report
Date: 2007-Feb
A briefing paper examined how relations between devolved institutions in Wales and United Kingdom institutions in London were likely to develop after the Government of Wales Act 2006 came into effect. UK institutions would play key roles in Welsh politics for some considerable time, complicating relations between the two levels of government. The grant of ?primary? legislative powers to the National Assembly would not mark an end to the formal development of Welsh devolution.
Source: Alan Trench, Old Wine in New Bottles? Wales-Whitehall relations after the Government of Wales Act 2006, Constitution Unit/University of London (uctqw3a@ucl.ac.uk)
Links: Summary
Date: 2007-Jan