Models of local government
Here is a small selection of examples of truly local government, including Scotland's former burgh councils, Vermont Town Meetings and England's parish councils.
Scotland’s former burgh councils
Until 1975 there were 176 small burgh councils in Scotland. These had responsibility for housing, minor roads, street lighting, cleansing and refuse collection, sewerage, assistance to industry, regulation of shops, markets etc., burial and cremation, libraries and museums, places of entertainment, parks and recreation. They had great influence over planning decisions and in some cases, such as Coupar Angus, they had judicial courts that could send miscreants to prison for up to two weeks.
The Vermont Town Meeting
The towns of New England, especially Vermont, are often cited as good examples of community-based democracy in action.
Vermont is home to 237 towns and 9 cities. The towns of Vermont generally meet on the first Tuesday of March each year , “And, as in bygone days, extra town meetings are called when and if the citizens, even a small number of citizens, so desire.”
At these meetings, the townsfolk adopt budgets, elect officials (there may be 40 or more, not to mention a host of voluntary positions), and set policy. Town meeting day “is the day when all the legal voters of a town have an opportunity to air their grievances; a day when true town business is addressed; and the source of a much-needed social respite towards the end of a long Vermont winter.”
Generally, towns in Vermont have the power and responsibility to build and maintain highways and bridges, tax property, control animals, license junkyards, provide for solid waste disposal, keep land and vital records, and regulate some health and sanitation areas.
Additionally, if at town meeting the voters so decide, a town may provide services such as police and fire protection, ambulance service, water, sewers, electricity, cemeteries, planning and zoning, building and housing codes, recreation, parks, forests and libraries. Matters relating to the school may also be discussed, including the school budget and the election of the school directors.
England’s parish councils
England’s parish and town councils provide employment for over 25,000 staff and their annual expenditure is in the region of £1 billion with over 16 million people (25% of the population) living in the communities they serve. Over 200 new councils have been created in past decade. Parish councils have wide powers in law, but relatively few duties, making individual councils very different in size and activity.
The powers of parish councils include:
Scotland’s former burgh councils
Until 1975 there were 176 small burgh councils in Scotland. These had responsibility for housing, minor roads, street lighting, cleansing and refuse collection, sewerage, assistance to industry, regulation of shops, markets etc., burial and cremation, libraries and museums, places of entertainment, parks and recreation. They had great influence over planning decisions and in some cases, such as Coupar Angus, they had judicial courts that could send miscreants to prison for up to two weeks.
The Vermont Town Meeting
The towns of New England, especially Vermont, are often cited as good examples of community-based democracy in action.
Vermont is home to 237 towns and 9 cities. The towns of Vermont generally meet on the first Tuesday of March each year , “And, as in bygone days, extra town meetings are called when and if the citizens, even a small number of citizens, so desire.”
At these meetings, the townsfolk adopt budgets, elect officials (there may be 40 or more, not to mention a host of voluntary positions), and set policy. Town meeting day “is the day when all the legal voters of a town have an opportunity to air their grievances; a day when true town business is addressed; and the source of a much-needed social respite towards the end of a long Vermont winter.”
Generally, towns in Vermont have the power and responsibility to build and maintain highways and bridges, tax property, control animals, license junkyards, provide for solid waste disposal, keep land and vital records, and regulate some health and sanitation areas.
Additionally, if at town meeting the voters so decide, a town may provide services such as police and fire protection, ambulance service, water, sewers, electricity, cemeteries, planning and zoning, building and housing codes, recreation, parks, forests and libraries. Matters relating to the school may also be discussed, including the school budget and the election of the school directors.
England’s parish councils
England’s parish and town councils provide employment for over 25,000 staff and their annual expenditure is in the region of £1 billion with over 16 million people (25% of the population) living in the communities they serve. Over 200 new councils have been created in past decade. Parish councils have wide powers in law, but relatively few duties, making individual councils very different in size and activity.
The powers of parish councils include:
- The maintenance of a village green or other common space or pasture.
- The maintenance and protection of war memorials.
- The provision of allotments, including the duty to provide allotments if demanded by parishioners.
- The acquisition, provision and maintenance of cemeteries and the maintenance of closed church yards.
- The provision of bus shelters, public clocks, buildings for public meetings, community centres and facilities for sports, recreation and social events.
- The provision and maintenance of street lighting, roadside verges (including tree planting), litter bins, car parks, public conveniences, public seating, and some traffic signs.
- The maintenance of rights of way, ponds, ditches, public footpaths and bridle-ways.
- The right to appoint school governors.
- The right to be notified of planning applications.
- The passing of bye-laws in relation to open spaces, cemeteries, cycle parking and pleasure grounds.
- The provision of public entertainment and support for the arts.