Commonwealth Local Government Forum

Local democracy

This section contains information relating to all aspects of lcoal democracy and good governance at the local level. The Commonwealth principles on good practice for local democracy and good governance - known as the Aberdeen Agenda - which have been adopted by all CLGF members and are incorporated in the Commonwealth Charter, set the framework for the promotion of local democracy in the Commonwealth. The materials in this section relate to the constitutional and legal provisions for local government and include a range of studies, policy and training materials on local elections, leadership, community participation, representative local government, local government management and partnerships between local government and other key stakeholders such as traditional authorities.

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Decentralised governance and planning in India: case study of a tribal district

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, Issue 15/16, June 2015 This paper examines the process of the formulation of decentralised planning in the Tribal regions of Odisha, a state located in eastern part of India, while examining the powers devolved to the local governments in such regions in the state to formulate plan, and the ground reality of the preparation of such plans in the context of the implementation of the Provisions of Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA Act). Formulation of decentralised planning in Odisha was taken up in the year 2008. However, based on the secondary data and interacting with the various people in field, the paper has revealed that “structural impediments” and “functional incapacity” of the local governments in the Scheduled Areas have hampered the spirit of such institutions with regard to the planning and implementation of the development programmes. The paper argues that decentralised plans should be realistic, based on the effective utilisation of local resources, and the local development issues should be prioritised and implemented accordingly. The paper suggests policy measures such as effective participation, prioritisation of development needs, and rationalisation of the required and available funds, considering the significance of the PESA Act. While doing so, the issues of the tribals should receive priority.

Author: Bushnu Prasad Mohapatra Publisher: CLGF/University of Technology, Sydney Publication year: 2015


Does local government have capacity for enabling local economic development? Lessons from Jamaica

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance - Issue 15, June 2014 Implementation of the Caribbean Local Economic Development Project (CARILED) began in 2012 in seven countries with a duration of six years, to support sustainable economic growth in the region. CARILED has introduced the idea of local economic development (LED) to the development debate in the region and has also brought the organisational capacity of local government, and local government’s role as facilitator of LED, to the fore. This paper assesses organisational behaviour and capability in local government in Jamaica to determine the state of readiness for a developmental role. The paper draws on two sets of research data to aid its analysis – a capacity audit (CAPAUD) conducted in 2010 and an organisational analysis (OA) commissioned by the Ministry of Local Government in 2010, both of which targeted a sample of local authorities in Jamaica. The study found that, when assessed against established criteria for an LED organisation - ie research and information provision; marketing and coordination; learning and innovation; and leadership - local government’s institutional and organisational capacity for development is unevenly distributed. For instance, local leaders understood organisational purpose but efforts to give effect to this appeared undeveloped, sporadic and uni-directional. It was also evident that participatory strategies are used to gain information from communities but these were often devoid of systematic research methodologies rendering formal community impact on local planning negligent. There is strong potential for the kind of administrative leadership required by a developmental local government to evolve, indicated by the quality of training, quantum of managerial/supervisory staff, and stability of staff establishment. However, this potential is threatened by the deficiencies in the non-traditional functional areas that are strategic to the organisation’s effectiveness as a facilitator of LED, ie alignment of community engagement/interface with LED priorities, diffusion of information technology in organisational processes, and use of policy analysis and development. These findings contribute important policy relevant information to regional discussions on the construction of alternative solutions to institutional and organisational problems in response to the economic crises of small island developing states (SIDS).

Author: Eris D Schoburgh Publisher: CLGF/University of Technology, Sydney Publication year: 2015


Decentralisation in developing countries: preconditions for successful implementation

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance - Issue 15, June 2014 Decentralisation has been implemented and is being implemented in many developing countries without much success. Although several unique factors inhibit the implementation of decentralisation in individual countries, the paper argues that there are six pre-conditions that these countries should fulfill before decentralisation can be successfully implemented. These preconditions are: institutional mechanisms; creation of spaces for community participation; political will and civil will; capacity development at the local level; careful implementation; and democratic governance.

Author: Yasin Olum Publisher: CLGF/University of Technology, Sydney Publication year: 2015


The local library across the digital and physical city: opportunities for economic development

Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance - Issue 15, June 2014 The paper considers the role of the public library as a community hub, engagement space, and entrepreneurship incubator in the context of the city, city governance, and local government planning. It considers this from the perspective of library experts and their future visions for libraries in a networked knowledge economy. Public libraries (often operated by or on behalf of local governments) potentially play a pivotal role in positioning communities within the global digital network. Fourteen qualitative interviews with library experts informed the study which looks at how the relationship between digital technology and the physical library space can potentially support the community to develop innovative, collaborative environments for transitioning to a digital future. The study found that libraries can capitalise on their position as community hubs for two purposes: first, to build vibrant community networks and forge economic links across urban localities; and second, to cross the digital divide and act as places of innovation and lifelong learning. Libraries provide a specific combination of community and technology spaces and have significant tangible connection points in the digital age. The paper further discusses the potential benefits for libraries in using ICT networks and infrastructure, such as the National Broadband Network in Australia. These networks could facilitate greater use of library assets and community knowledge, which, in turn, could assist knowledge economies and regional prosperity.

Author: Kirralie Houghton, Marcus Foth, Evonne Miller Publisher: CLGF/University of Technology, Sydney Publication year: 2015


Local democracy today and tomorrow - learning from good practice

This paper provides an overview of key trends and developments impacting local democracy and is intended to be a broad-ranging background paper to assist in discussions at a workshop organised in November 2014, which brought together academics and practitioners to explore current trends and developments in local democracy. It should be noted that there is no single world view on what local democracy is and globally there are many different systems of local governance and democracy both within and between countries. A number of key areas which have impacted on local democracy and as identified by the authors include the impact of the global financial crisis, the effects of urbanisation, rising conflicts and protests, ways in which engagements occur, ensuring inclusivity and the need for a developmental approach to local governance. Lessons learnt and challenges include the effects of decentralisation, increased participation, building skills, ensuring openness and transparency and ensuring effective and efficient service delivery.

Author: CLGF Publisher: CLGF


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