Project summary
The Centre for Census and Survey Research (CCSR) and the Institute for Political and Economic Governance (IPEG) at the University of Manchester are conducting a research project on council size and democracy on behalf of the Electoral Commission.
Council size, in terms of the numbers of councillors, is a crucial aspect of local democracy and effective management and public service planning and delivery. It is therefore vital that the procedures for determining council size are robust, based on best practice and capable of anticipating future change.
Methodology
The team from CCSR and IPEG will deliver:
- A review of past decisions on council size in the UK. This will involve a review of the consultation process, the representations received and the outcome.
- A case study of council size in other EU countries. The research team will identify practices employed for determining council size in other countries. Three case study countries will be selected which will allow direct comparison with England.
- An assessment of statistical data sources in the UK. The data sources review will examine the availability of quantitative and qualitative data for the different factors which may be used to inform decisions on council size.
- An expert stakeholder panel discussion. Academic experts and practitioners from across the UK will be brought together to discuss the key factors to be considered in determining council size. Experts will present evidence regarding the factors informing council size highlighting such issues as democracy, representation, population change and public service delivery and management.
Deliverables
The research outcomes include the development of database and decision support tool in order to give the Boundary Committee for England a robust basis for what might be the appropriate council size for any given area, taking account of, among other factors, population size, political management structure, rural/urban issues and the future role of councillors as outlined in the recent Local Government White Paper.
For further information please contact Dr. Kingsley Purdam, CCSR, University of Manchester.
Email: Kingsley.purdam@manchester.ac.uk
Project investigators
- Kingsley Purdam (CCSR)
- Peter John (IPEG)
- Stephen Greasley (IPEG)
- Paul Norman (CCSR)