The Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) is an independent policy andresearch organisation which provides an information, advice, training and lobbyingservice to represent its local authority members and support them in deliveringexcellent results for their communities.

The LGIU celebrates the strengths of local democracy and advances the case forgreater powers, discretions and financial freedoms for local government. It hastwo partner organisations:The Education Network (TEN) works with localeducation authorities to disseminate good practice and raise levels of educationattainment;The Democratic Health Network (DHN) provides policy advice,information and a forum for good practice on the growing partnership betweenlocal government and health. LGIU has recently launched a subscription briefingservice STEER covering issues of skills, economy, regeneration and training.

We are campaigning to see:

• An all-party constitutional convention to determine the role oflocal democracy in the 21st Century, and ensure the principlesenshrined in the European Charter of Local Self Government,are made reality

• A stronger role for democratically elected local decision makersthrough local education authorities and in the health serviceImplementation of the Government's stated principle of subsidiarity,to ensure that the introduction of regional government seespowers devolved down from central government, rather thanlifted up from local government

• A modernisation of the local government finance system ensuringcouncils raise more than half of their revenue locally and reformof the council tax to link it more closely to incomes throughregional flexibility

• A Public Service Act to recognise and encourage a commitmentto public service through a state subsidy to employers to fundpaid time off for council dutiesLegislation to allow voting at 16 and candidature at 18 to encourageparticipation in the democratic process