Chapter Six Local Freedom and Central Control — A Question of Balance

The Government's objectives in shaping its policies on local government finance since 1979, as set out in its 1986 Green Paper (Cmnd 9714 para 1.19), may be summarised as follows:

To contain local government expenditure at what are described as ‘affordable’ levels.

To encourage the local authorities to carry out services more efficiently and to introduce private competition where possible.

To reduce detailed controls over local government.