Miliband launches site to spark local debate
The government has launched a new web forum to enable the public to debate the future of local government.
Set up by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, localvisionforum.net will also be open to local authorities, businesses and other local government stakeholders.
The government wants the views expressed on the site to inform the local government White Paper it is expected to publish in the summer.
Initially, the online debate will be focused around the issues of local government restructuring and neighbourhoods, addressing topics such as local authority roles and responsibilities, strong local leadership, and effective representation.
Discussion on neighbourhoods will focus on devolving decision-making and empowering communities at a grass roots level.
Communities and local government minister David Miliband said: "New technology gives us new opportunities to engage with more people than ever before. Tools like the web forum launched today let us use 21st century communication to consult on the vision for 21st century local government.
"The future of local government affects everyone. I want to encourage as many people as possible to use this opportunity to ensure local communities can really make their voices heard in these discussions."
The launch of the site comes shortly after Miliband became the first minister Miliband to set up his own blog.
So far the site has attracted mixed views from the public, with some accusing him of misusing public money to promote government policies.
Both Miliband's blog and localvisionforum.net are being run by the Hansard Society for the Department of Constitutional Affairs as part of an experiment to test the use of digital media in government.
Visit the web forum here
