20

THE NEW TOWNS

admirable example to be followed, and applied to other aspects of life than
house-furnishing. It is not far-fetched to recall the enormous success of the
Tennessee Valley Authority in introducing new techniques by means of the
demonstration farm, whose merits were a constant challenge to neighbouring
farmers. This is how voluntary effort can be stimulated within the framework
 of social planning, securing diversity at the same time that general
standards are raised.

5. RELATIONS WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES

The relations between the Development Corporations and the local
authorities responsible for services within the designated areas are perhaps
the most complex and most difficult to summarise of all the network of new
relationships created by the New Towns. They are defined, in part, by statute;
but they are also very much a matter of ad hoc adjustment, and good relations
 have been much more the product of good sense and personal co-operation
 than of the rigid application of rules laid down in advance. Moreover,
as the New Towns develop, they are in fact transforming the local authorities
with which they have to deal, changing not merely the political balance of
their elected members, but the form of the councils themselves. Harlow is
a case in point. Here, as construction has proceeded, it has been necessary
to create a new urban district council to provide the necessary services. In
other places, there have already been changes in council boundaries, and
more will be needed before the New Towns are completed. Hemel Hempstead
is unique in being the only New Town in which almost all the development
falls within the boundary of an established borough council.
For these reasons a much more elaborate survey of Corporation-Council
relations is needed than it is possible to make within the limits of this pamphlet.
 A summary tends to be misleading because each town has its own
problems, and because there is such a wide variation in the character of the
authorities concerned.

The Question of Status
Some consideration has to be given to the question of status, however,
for a number of reasons. First, as is shown below, it seems to have been
intended that the New Towns shall ultimately pass into the ownership of a
local government authority, though the Act is not clear on this point. In
that case, it is essential that the authority concerned shall become, or have
powers, equal to a non-county borough. Over a period of ten to fifteen
years it may thus be necessary for a town to pass through all the stages of
growth from a parish to a borough, which means a continual expansion of
powers and responsibility. Secondly, it is desirable that the jurisdiction of
that authority should be at least the same as the designated area by the time
the town is completed. This is especially important so far as housing is
concerned. If the New Towns are to be prevented from sprawling, enough
space must be left within the Council and Development Corporation bound-