The road to reorganization: Wales as a case study

Abstract

Reviews in detail the political aspects of the many stages in the reorganiza tion of local government in the UK, between 1990 and 1996, with particular reference to the reasons for such changes, the influence of district authorities as a pressure group and the ultimate effect of their campaign. Focuses on the evolution of the policy for the reorganization of local government in Wales, dating from the publication of the 1991 consultation paper, and the likely implications for public libraries in Wales of a local government structure com prising 22 unitary all purpose authorities. Concludes that it is relevant to ask what sort of public library service will evolve from within this structure over the subsequent 5 to 10 years. Attempts to answer the question by con sidering 2 possible scenarios (one negative and one that is more positive and encouraging). Suggests that the 2 scenarios probably constitute extremes and the actual outcome will probably lie somewhere in between.