In this provocative new book, Peter Latham argues that the UK Conservative Government’s devolution agenda conceals their real intention: to complete the privatisation of local government and other public services. Using illustrative examples from across the UK, including the so-called ‘Northern Powerhouse’ and the Midlands, the book explains the far-reaching implications of the reorganisation of local government that is already affecting vital public services, including education, health, housing and policing. Proposing an overhaul of the taxation system to include land value taxation, a wealth tax and more progressive income tax to fund an increase in directly provided services, the author argues that a new basis for federal, regional and local democracy is vital.

This is the first book to examine the development of the town hall during the twentieth century and the way in which these civic buildings have responded to the dramatic political, social and architectural changes which took place during the period. Following an overview of the history of the town hall as a building type, it examines the key themes, variations and lessons which emerged during the twentieth century. This is followed by 20 case studies from around the world which include plans, sections and full-colour illustrations. Each of the case studies examines the town hall's procurement, the selection of its architect and the building design, and critically analyses its success and contribution to the type’s development. The case studies include: Copenhagen Town Hall, Denmark, Martin Nyrop Stockholm City Hall, Sweden, Ragnar Ostberg Hilversum Town Hall, the Netherlands, Willem M. Dudok Walthamstow Town Hall, Britain, Philip Dalton Hepworth Oslo Town Hall, Norway, Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson Casa del Fascio, Como, Italy, Guiseppe Terragni Aarhus Town Hall, Denmark, Arne Jacobsen with Eric Moller Saynatsalo Town Hall, Finland, Alvar Aalto Kurashiki City Hall, Japan, Kenzo Tange Toronto City Hall, Canada, Viljo Revell Boston City Hall, USA, Kallmann, McKinnell and Knowles Dallas City Hall, USA, IM Pei Mississauga City Hall, Canada, Ed Jones and Michael Kirkland Borgoricco Town Hall, Italy, Aldo Rossi Reykjavik City Hall, Iceland, Studio Granda Valdelaguna Town Hall, Spain, Victor Lopez Cotelo and Carlos Puente Fernandez The Hague City Hall, the Netherlands, Richard Meier Iragna Town Hall, Switzerland, Raffaele Cavadini Murcia City Hall, Spain, Jose Rafael Moneo London City Hall, UK, Norman Foster

In this book Ines Newman raises new questions about the fundamental principles that should guide local government decision making in an era when austerity measures leave local governments struggling to meet the demands for services. Drawing on a lifetime of experience as a practitioner and academic within local government, she shifts the agenda toward a more ethical view of how local governments can enact policies that improve social justice and local democracy. Newman argues that local governments should provide a voice for those who lack power, and she does so through an energizing call to reengage politics with ethics and an examination of how local governments can develop active citizens, make a difference in the well-being of the disadvantaged, and, in the end, promote real democracy.

Drawing on classical and emerging research perspectives, this comprehensive book provides an up-to-date review of local government in Europe. Featuring an impressive range of contributors from both eastern and western Europe, the book addresses three main topics: territorial reforms, democratic empowerment of citizens and the role of local leadership, as well as new trends in local finances. Acknowledging their inherent diversity, the book examines the ways that local governments have responded to shared challenges, such as climate change, increasing populism and democratic deficit in order to identify both the variety and communalities between the country-specific features. In doing so, it provides a rich picture of the latest trends in local government, as well as pointing the way for future developments.

4PM Townhall is a leadership fiction about a relentless guy fulfilling his dreams. How he makes a comeback from different failures and creates efficient system at each stage. The townhall meeting where he wanted to announce the integrity, the vision, company goals; ends-up announcing the closure of company. He fails. Starts again. Falls in love enough to get lost, but makes a comeback and finally achieves success. A story based on true experiences of life and Indian Startup ecosystem.