ABSTRACT
As the themes of this book are summarised, so a number of key questions can be underlined. Two parallel developments have been tracked – the impact of austerity on the resources of local government and its continuing ability to communicate; and the impact of the online era on the local media with the subsequent diminution of local newspapers. Where these two parallel trends collide is in the debate on local democracy and accountability within that democracy. The fresh research contained in this book highlights a mixed picture as to how councils have responded to their dwindling resources. However, one trend does emerge – that the scrutiny they are under as they make significant decisions about local services is not as fierce or as forensic as it has been in the past. The high profile case studies highlighted – and there could have been more – identify the tragic consequences of this missing piece of local scrutiny. And there can be little confidence that there will not be plenty more case studies of a similar nature in the coming years as evidence that the shortcomings exposed are being addressed is not apparent. The meaning of local democracy can be a proverbial bar of soap in the ability of all concerned to grasp the issues. This book attempts to set out an agenda which makes the need to do so compelling.
