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Government. Read and précis pages 78-100 of ‘AS Citizenship’ by Holden-Rowley and Blewitt. Local Government. Activity: From the diagram on page 80 of ‘AS Citizenship’ - decide in which category the following Councils will fit: Surrey, Elmbridge, Slough, Hounslow, Manchester and Stockport.
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Government Read and précis pages 78-100 of ‘AS Citizenship’ by Holden-Rowley and Blewitt.
Local Government • Activity:From the diagram on page 80 of ‘AS Citizenship’ - decide in which category the following Councils will fit: Surrey, Elmbridge, Slough, Hounslow, Manchester and Stockport. • Explain the difference between a single-tier authority and a two-tier authority.
Consulting with the public • Produce (collectively on the white board) a list showing how local authorities should/do consult with citizens. • Then establish (collectively), in order of priority, the three most effective ways that the public can/should be consulted.
Collectively (I.e. on the board) produce a list of reasons why: • “Councillors should be paid as if it were a full-time job.” • “They should be active citizens and do the job voluntarily”. • Spend a few minutes thinking before someone writes on the board.
The GLA (not the GLC) • In the 1980’s Mrs Thatcher was furious with “Red Ken” and she abolished the ‘Greater London Council’ (GLC). • By 2000 it was recognised that London needed a separate govt body and the ‘Greater London Assembly’ (GLA) was established. Despite the PM’s (Blair) opposition “Red Ken” was elected as Mayor.
Who is responsible? • Imagine you are a Londoner. Work out who would be responsible (the GLA or the borough council) if… • 1. Your bus always comes late. • 2. Your library charges you a pound a minute for late books. • 3. Your local school is forced to close. • 4. All theatres and museums are made free to visit.
What does the GLA do? It has strategic responsibility for: • Transport, policing, fire and emergency planning. • Economic development, • Planning, culture, the environment and some health issues.
The London Boroughs (32) Retain responsibility for: • Education, housing, social services, • Local roads, libraries and museums, • Refuse collection and environmental health.
During the next lesson plan and then write one of the below essays in exam conditions (30 mins) … Which essay you do will alternate between students (U do 1 - U do 2 etc). On completion, students will mark each others work (with teacher advice/help). • 1. The reform of local government • 2. The House of Commons - what it does and how it works.
Break into groups: • Group 1: Produce a class presentation which explains and discusses the significance of party politics for the selection and election of candidates (see page 82 of ‘AS Citizenship’). • Group 2: Explain the voting system used for electing the GLA and how that differs with first past the post (pages 83-85).
Thought experiment • Imagine if every local community in the UK ruled themselves with no national government, police or courts. • List all the things that might be good and bad for society about this scenario. • Prepare to discuss what you have put with the class.
Class discussion • Is devolution a good idea? • Should there be an English parliament? • What would it’s powers be? • Should Scotland and/or Wales become independent?
What next? • Undertake some revision for the ‘mock examination’ shown on page 101 of ‘AS Citizenship’. • Read and précis ready for your next lesson. Print off the intranet materials and take them to class with you.