ABSTRACT
What is understood by the term “democracy” and how can it be defined? This key question goes to the heart of the issues discussed in this book. Within this wider concept, how can politicians be held to account – not just through the ballot box but also when they are in power? Accountability is a key conundrum that appears throughout any debate on local democracy and research shows that this complex question is often confused by debates about management and performance versus the more abstract question of political accountability. So, in practical terms, what role does information play in these challenging areas of democracy and what role does the media play in acting as the public’s guardian of local democracy? These issues have been complicated further by debates about freedom of information – best encapsulated by the journey of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2000 and its impact on local government. Alongside this has been the increasing role of the private sector within the delivery of local council services and the impact this has had on the accountability of local authorities.
