TNAG-0201-FCO40-237-Local-government-reforms-1969 — Page 55

0003230

G.F. 323

CONFIDENTIAL

7

political policy which has surely proved its value over and over

again during the last twenty years. Even if the next specific

step proposed involves no such substantial modifications we must

surely be looking ahead another twenty years and considering whether

a policy of raising the status of the Council can be safely sustained

in the long run.

13. I think the time has come to call a halt. It is not clear to

me to what extent we are already committed to the devolution of some

degree of financial autonomy to the Council, but if this is to be

done I believe it is important to do it in a manner which can be fitted

into some coherent policy. I can see no case for the arbitrary

earmarking of funds from one particular source, for example rates,

for the services with which the Council happens to be concerned,

although good arguments could probably be developed for allowing the

Council more freedom to decide upon questions of priority and emphasis

within the limited field with which it is concerned. This really

amounts to no more than accepting its advice rather than rejecting it.

14. It seems to me that if we are to aim at a prolonged period

of internal political stability we must devise means whereby such pressure for public participation in administration as develops, can be found safe and constructive outlets as far as possible within the framework of the present policy and organisation. What is required

is not a specific act of reform or constitutional change but a flexible policy which can be sustained for years and which can provide for a coherent and continuing series of small reforms or changes to

meet legitimate pressures as they develop.

A New Approach

15. I would like to propose a new approach involving two parallel

developments.

a) The development of existing consultative

bodies into more formal or statutory bodies

/with