D.1 An equitable standard of living for all, including good quality public services, such as education, health, police and social services, a well managed economy and employment, and a rich cultural life, all depend to some degree on good governance and administration at the appropriate geographical level. Good governance is equally essential for housing, transport and environmental planning. With an increasing devolution of power from central Government, local government, as well as the community and voluntary sector, will play an important role in delivering a good standard of living and quality of public services.
D.2 The following sections offer an overview of the South West’s political and governance structures. Following the change in government in May 2010, several subnational structures are facing closure. For local authorities, the focus under the Coaltion Government is on devolved power to provide greater autonomy at the local level.
D.3 New proposed structures aimed at driving local growth have been identified in the 2010 Local Growth White Paper, and are now beginning to emerge. This chapter provides an overview of those structures which have been announced to date. In the months that follow the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) will develop them further.
D.4 At a Parliamentary level, the South West’s population is represented in Westminster by its MPs. The General Election in May 2010 has seen significant changes in the MP composition, with the South West moving from having no overall majority, to a Conservative majority. The region also forms a European Constituency, and as such returns MEPs to the European Parliament.
