This book aims to place ethical practice on the agenda of local government and to locate local government in the expanding international network of public sector ethics.
Beyond the development of codes of conduct (an important first step) the contributors consider ways in which theories of ethical behaviour can be brought to bear on practice of local government. The contributors to this volume reflect the breadth of the field of local government. From the UK, where local government has had responsibility for a large range of service delivery, to the government of a small community on Cape York in Australia. From large conurbations, such as Los Angeles, to villages, towns and cities in Australia and Canada, there are points of reference for all practitioners to recognise and place their own context.
The diversity evident in these discussions and deliberations shows that local covers a range of places and experiences. Each chapter takes as its focus different aspects of local government which we hope will assist local government practitioners in their thinking about the issues of ethical practice. Overall, this volume combines background information on ethics for local government officials and bodies with practical guidance for implementing a local government ethics policy.