Can Law Make the Difference? The Role of Local Councillors After the Introduction of the Flemish Local Government Act

During the last decades local government changed considerably in different countries (Vetter & Kersting, 2003; Denters & Rose, 2005). Despite cross-national differences, one of the transnational trends in these reforms was the reconsideration of the municipal council’s role (Denters & Rose, 2005). In this context, the Flemish Local Government Act (LGA) had set as an aim the strengthening of the controlling and policy making role of the municipal council (Memorie van Toelichting bij Ontwerp van Gemeentedecreet, 2005). This paper will focus on the impact of the Flemish LGA on the role perceptions and behaviour of local councillors. Ideally, the core tasks of local politicians are threefold: they act as representatives, are responsible for policy making and control the local executive (Rao, Young, Lynn, & Hurrell, 1994; Hansen, 2001; Mouritzen & Svara, 2002; Block, et al., 2003; Steen & Wille, 2005). Traditionally Belgian local councillors lean most towards the representative role (Kalk & De Rynck, 2003; Verhelst, Steyvers, & Reynaert, 2009). Nevertheless this paper will focus on the policy making and controlling role of the council because of the importance the LGA attaches to these roles. First of all, we investigate the role attitude of Flemish local councillors. Secondly, their role behaviour will be examined by measuring to what extent local politicians use the instruments introduced by the LGA to control the executive and to make policy decisions. By comparing role perception and behaviour, we examine whether councillors are able to fulfill their functions the way they prefer. Finally, we identify personal, political and contextual characteristics which influence the role attitude and behaviour of the politicians. To answer these questions, we use data collected via a web survey which was sent to all Flemish local councillors during the summer of 2012. These data will be compared with data collected in 2009.