Local councillors: Between local 'government' and local 'governance'

With a two-dimensional concept of 'New Public Management' as its point of d eparture, the article points to the development of a specific Danish model of NPM at the local level of government. In the municipalities the market-o riented NPM dimension has been almost absent and the managerial dimension h as been interpreted and translated into a 'governance'-oriented model that combines decentralized self- and user-governance from below with centralize d goal-steering from above. This combined model institutes new governing ro les including a new leadership role for elected councillors as central goal -steering decision and policy makers. Rather than strengthening the local c ouncillors, the new leadership role has turned out to be problematic for th e elected councillors. The problems inherent in the new institutional role as goal-steering decision makers are discussed and arguments are put forwar d in favour of a more 'governance' and less NPM and government-oriented rol e for elected councillors. What seems to be needed is another new role that stresses local councillors as co-governors and guardians of an inclusive a nd democratic form of local governance.