Date of Implementation
31. Substantial legislative action will be required and new financial procedures will have to be devised before the proposed arrangements can be implemented. It is considered that the earliest possible date of introduction is likely to be 1st April 1973.
CONCLUSION
32. These proposals are not as radical as have been advocated by some, but go further than others feel desirable. These differences of view are not surprising in a matter as difficult and controversial as this.
33. Nevertheless, they amount to a very considerable change in the nature of the Council and one which will have quite far-reaching effects. The aim has been to separate the Council from its present entanglement with the Central Government and give it clearly-defined powers and responsibilities of its own, particularly those relating to finance, insofar as the constitutional position allows. This should enable the Council in very large degree to formulate and carry through policies of its own devising in such manner as it thinks best.
34. Once the Council is firmly established on this new basis, further consideration can be given to its future development including, possibly, the gradual devolution of some additional powers as may seem appro- priate. It is not to be thought, therefore, that the implementation of these proposals will necessarily freeze the Council into the shape now proposed for all time.
35. It must moreover be recognized that even to put the present proposals into full effect will involve the resolution of many complex points of detail and difficult adjustments: and other problems will appear as the Council starts to operate in its new guise. It is therefore clearly only prudent to proceed in a cautious and orderly manner, one step at a time.
Summary
36. These proposals may be summarized as follows:
(a) the Urban Council will be given the additional licensing duties
listed in paragraph 8;
10