Strategic policy committees: Utilising data and evidence to inform policy development in local government

Abstract

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between central and local government in Ireland and how this dynamic shapes service delivery along with policy development and implementation opportunities at the local level. It explores the original intent behind strategic policy committees (SPCs), introduced under the Better Local Government reform programme, which sought to strengthen local democracy and enhance the policy role of elected members through structured engagement with sectoral stakeholders. While SPCs were designed as key instruments for collaborative policy development, the paper highlights ongoing challenges in realising their full policy remit, including ambiguity around their scope, capacity constraints, and the continued influence of central government. The paper further analyses a case study from Dublin City Council, where an SPC-led initiative examined the potential remunicipalisation of domestic waste collection. Through the commissioning of independent research and the evaluation of multiple policy scenarios, this case study demonstrates how SPCs can contribute to evidence-informed policy development. Drawing on this example, the paper identifies lessons for other local authorities, emphasising the importance of research capacity, collaboration between elected members, sectoral groups and officials, while adhering to structured policy development frameworks. It concludes that, despite systemic constraints, SPCs continue to be an important vehicle for local policy leadership and innovation.