Previous editions of this work have established Knowles as the authority on the law and practice of local authority meetings and decision-making.  

Local government has undergone a process of modernisation over recent years, starting with the Local Government Act 2000 and the establishment of the new systems of local government decision-making.

The book provides an analysis of the framework within which local authority meetings are held, the rights and duties of members, officers and the public at meetings and the practical conduct of meetings.

This new edition has been updated to include:
•    New regulations on individual ward member delegation
•    The impact of recent case law
•    Powers to Petition and a Councillor Call for Action will be introduced shortly
•    New scrutiny powers are in progress and all this will have a significant impact on the scope and ambit of decision-making and the practice and procedure involved

Featured throughout are relevant case histories and illustrations of model documents and procedures. An extensive list of appendices providing reference to key codes, notices and regulations is also included.

•  ISBN: 9781860724398 •   452 pages • Due October 2010 • £99.95

Contents
PART 1: GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Current framework
Standing orders
Admission of Press and public
Local authority membership
The role of officers
 
PART 2: COUNCIL MEETINGS
Preliminaries
Conduct
Council minutes
 
PART 3: COMMITTEE PRACTICE
The committee system
Work before meetings
Work at meetings               
Work after meetings
 
PART 4: MISCELLANEOUS MEETINGS
Meetings for special purposes Meetings of other public bodies
 
Appendices

About the author
Deborah Upton: Deborah Upton is a Solicitor and Assistant Director of Finance and Corporate Services at Medway Council.

Stephen Taylor: Stephen Taylor is the Director of Law and Corporate Governance, and Monitoring Officer, of Swindon Borough Council.