Local Government Act 2000

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The principal purposes of the Local Government Act 2000 are:

to give powers to local authorities to promote economic, social and environmental well-being within their boundaries

to require local authorities to shift from their traditional committee-based system of decision-making to an executive model, possibly with a directly-elected mayor (subject to approval by referendum), and with a cabinet of ruling party group members

to create a consequent separation of functions with local authorities, with backbench councillors fulfilling an overview and scrutiny role

to introduce a revised ethical framework for local authorities, requiring the adoption of codes of conduct for elected members and standards committees to implement the codes of conduct; the introduction of a national Standards Board and Adjudication Panel to deal with complaints and to oversee disciplinary issues

The Act received Royal Assent in July 2000.

The introduction of directly-elected mayors was the most radical innovation in the Act. About thirty local referendums have been held, the majority of which have decided against the elected mayor option.