Abstract: | In 1973 the latest of the attempts was made to construct a system which would reconcile the two elements that have so often proved irreconcilable in the past: local identity based on the historic ties of communities too small to be effective, and economic viability requiring unites too large to have any sense of community. These attempts included the introduction of a non-partisan Council-Manager system; the establishment of Management Committees to lay down policies for execution by the Council-Manager; the reduction of local government councils from 114 to 39 through mergers; and the creation of 335 Area Committees to involve people in government at the grass roots. These reforms hold out promise of a better and more effective local management of local affairs. Notes. |