Local Government reform: change for the better

Abstract

The case for single-tier authorities was looked at by the Whcatley Commission. Reporting in 1969, it concluded that a system of all-purpose local authorities 'has many advantages', being the simplest of all to understand and to operate. The Stodart Committee, reporting in 1981, stated that single-tier local authorities would have considerable attractions, would find substantia] support, and would avoid most of the difficulties inherent in the two-tier arrangement. Almost a decade later, but well before the Government unveiled plans for local government reform, the Scottish Labour Party said the establishment of single-tier authorities would deal with 'the continuing widespread confusion about which tier carried out which functions'.