The Government of London : : The struggle for reform / / Gerald Rhodes.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter University of Toronto Press eBook-Package Archive 1933-1999
• VerfasserIn: Rhodes, Gerald,
• MitwirkendeR: Robson, William A.,
• Place / Publishing House: Toronto : : University of Toronto Press, , [2019]; ©1970
• Year of Publication: 2019
• Language: English
• Series: Heritage
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (336 p.)

Following an enquiry by a Royal Commission in 1957-60, the London Government Act, 1963 made sweeping changes in the local government of Greater London. The London and Middlesex County Councils and many other smaller local authorities were abolished; the boundaries of Essex, Kent and Surrey were redrawn. A new structure was established consisting of a Greater London Council and 32 London Boroughs with a unique division of responsibilities between them. Using much unpublished material Mr Rhodes examines in detail why these changes came about -- changes which produced the first major reform of the local government structure in Britain since it was established in the late nineteenth century. He identifies certain key points in the history of these events: the decision of the Conservative Government to reverse previous policy and set up a far-reaching enquiry into London Government in 1957; the Royal Commission's analysis of the problem and its recommendations; and the Government's decision in 1961 to initiate a scheme of reform based on the Commission's recommendations in spite of the strong opposition this was bound to provoke. Mr Rhodes describes the course of events from 1957 until 1965 when the new system came into operation in Greater London. He analyses the motives of the participants, including the political parties, the local authorities, government departments and professional bodies. Emphasis is laid not only on the political struggle but equally on the practical problems of administration in a metropolitan area which are essential to an understanding of the event. This book is the first comprehensive record and analysis of the events which led to the reforms of 1965.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Maps -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- The Greater London Group -- 1. Local Government in London -- 2. The Herbert Commission (1): Evidence of Local Authorities and Local Authority Associations -- 3. The Herbert Commission (2): Evidence of Government Departments, Political Parties, Professional Bodies and Universities -- 4. The Report of the Herbert Commission -- 5. From the Herbert Commission's Report to the Government's White Paper -- 6. The White Paper on London Government -- 7. Changes in the Government's Plan: the Labour Party's Opposition -- 8. The Metropolitan Water Board: the New Boroughs -- 9. Preparations for the London Government Bill -- 10. The London Government Bill -- 11. The Transition to the New System -- 12. A Summing-up -- APPENDICES -- 1. Chronological Table of Main Events, 1957-65 -- 2. Comparison of Proposals in the Herbert Commission Report and Provisions of the London Government Act, 1963 -- 3. The London Boroughs -- Notes -- Index