Lyons Inquiry:
Lyons Inquiry to Launch Spring Paper
Lyons Inquiry Operational Notice: 25 April 2006
Sir Michael Lyons will be publishing his Spring Paper from his Independent Inquiry into Local Government on Monday 8 May 2006. There will be an accompanying press briefing at 09:00hrs - The Balcony Room, Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT.
Sir Michael said:
'This document will present my latest thinking and analysis on a new role for local government, highlighting the need for a new partnership between central and local government in developing an overall system, which rises to the challenges of the 21st Century. This new system should promote national prosperity, offer local choice and respond to the needs of local citizens, balancing the expectations of service users with what they are prepared to pay for.
This paper does not focus on council tax or wider funding issues which I will return to and make recommendations on in my final report to Ministers in December 2006.
"National prosperity, local choice and civic engagement: a new partnership between central and local government for the 21st Century" sets out Sir Michaels latest thinking on:
- The future challenges for government and public services
- The benefits of local discretion and flexibility in the delivery of public services
- Place shaping what we want local government to do, and what needs to change to enable local government to fulfil this role
For media wishing to attend and/or register for an interview with Sir Michael Lyons, please contact Marcus Chrysostomou on 020 7261 8356
Notes for Editors
- Sir Michael Lyons was originally commissioned in July 2004 by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor to make recommendations on how to reform the local government funding system by December 2005. On 20 September 2005 the remit of the Inquiry was extended to enable Sir Michael to consider issues of function before finalising his conclusions on funding.
- On 15 December 2005 Sir Michael issued a consultation paper and interim report, inviting responses to the questions posed by 13 March 2006. At the same time submissions received from organisations and the research commissioned by the Inquiry were also published. A further paper will follow in Spring (see above) with the Inquiry concluding with a final report to Ministers in late 2006.
- The Inquiry is independent and therefore the decision on when to publish the Spring Paper will be made by Sir Michael.
- Copies of the report, submissions, research commissioned, and the terms of reference for the Inquiry, can be found on the Lyons Inquiry website at www.lyonsinquiry.org.uk
- Any press enquiries should be directed to GNN on 0207 261 8356.
