ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the New Labour Government in the United Kingdom reformed the long-established committee system of political management in English local government and introduced a separation of powers in all but the smallest authorities. It suggests that reform was driven by a strong government with a window of opportunity to enforce mandatory change overcoming local veto. Despite the possibility for local lock-in in adopting the provisions of the Local Government Act, fundamental change was realized as the reforms incentivized executive councillors and officers offering an enhanced decision-making role or voice. This driver for change was joined by the public service motivation or loyalty of officers recognizing the legitimacy of central government policy choices. Finally the exit of many non-executive councillors permitted new entrants, better able to adopt the new standard operating procedures.
