Fragmentation, Concentration, and Local Government Structure: Top-Tier Authorities in England and Wales, 1831–1996

Abstract

The structure of local government in England and Wales is evaluated on the basis of public-choice theories concerning structural effects on performance. The concepts of fragmentation and concentration are applied to changes in the pattern of top-tier units since 1831. For most of this period the structure of this set of authorities became much less fragmented and more concentrated. Public-choice theory suggests that the net effect of these changes is likely to have been a reduction in the allocative and technical efficiency of service provision.

Structural Change and Public Service Performance: The Impact of the Reorganization Process in English Local Government

“…Prior to the most recent restructuring, four historical moments led to the foundation of distinct groups of English local governments with territorially defined responsibilities for delivering public services (Boyne and Cole 1996, 1998). In 1888, county councils responsible for administering a range of public functions were first created across England and Wales, with further reforms sub‐dividing these areas into lower‐tier district councils during the 1890s.…”

Room for manoeuvre?

“…The democratic/political mandate of local government inevitably shapes the nature of how decentralised powers are exercised which can lead to fragmentation and concentration [14]. The fiscal federalism literature is largely concerned with financial autonomy and with tax raising powers [13].…”

Public Services Under New Labour: Back to Bureaucracy?

“…The new structure contained some of the world's largest local authorities, notably the Greater London Council (GLC) which had a population of seven million within its boundaries. The outcome was similar when the remainder of local government in England and Wales was reorganized in 1974 (Boyne and Cole, 1996). Many small units were forcibly merged with their neighbours.…”