Public expenditure policies and the public library: changing the rules of the revenue game

The period since 1972 has seen major changes in the administration of local government. During the same time central government has become increasingly concerned about the financing and control of local authority expenditure. The authors argue that while central governments have always sought to control local government expenditure a major shift in the balance of power between central and local government has occurred with the election of an administration ideologically committed to reducing public expenditure and willing to replace exhortation with enforcement.

The article reviews some of the major fiscal and administrative changes that have taken place since the early 1970s and discusses the practical, professional and managerial implications of the controversial rate capping legislation.