Local government: Choice within constraint

Local government continues to experience significant change in many areas. While these changes impose significant constraints upon the actions of local government, there remains considerable scope for the exercise of discretion and significant choices to be made within such constraints. This scope for choice within constraint is illustrated through five areas: year two of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment, further developments in the new political management structures, regional government and the potential reorganisation of local government, the return of local government finance to the central-local relations debate, and the evolution of e-government. In examining these areas, it is apparent that the opportunities for choice are much greater than is conventionally accepted, especially outside of the government's core priority areas.