Local power growing

LOCAL government has sharply increased public involvement in decision-making over the past four years, according to research carried out for ministers.

Researchers at De Montfort University and the University of Strathclyde have found that councils commonly use market research surveys, focus groups and citizens juries and panels in addition to public meetings.

A report on the findings for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions will help inform a forthcoming white paper on local government.

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Research papers relating to this page can be found on The THES Internet site: http://www.thesis.co.uk