Mega-councils put Yorkshire democracy at risk just as Edward Heath did over Ridings – Yorkshire Post Letters

IT is very frustrating when successive governments are unable to learn the lessons of the past. Too often when things have gone wrong, whether it is the NHS, police or the Government, we hear the usual “lessons have been learnt” rhetoric.

The current debate concerning changing the present structures of local authorities appears to be based solely on saving money. In reality it is another step in moving away from local democracy and the lessons have clearly not been learnt.

Ted Heath’s Local Government Act of 1972 was an unmitigated disaster which saw the creation of the metropolitan and non-metropolitan district councils. It did away with the urban district councils which again were based on a “modernisation” and “cost saving” agenda.

Not only did this act of political vandalism erode further local democracy but it created confusion and alienated large sections of the public.

It was therefore possible when entering Ilkley from the Dales to see the sign “Welcome to Leeds” and when in Fulford, which is a suburb of York (which the county is named after), the sign appeared “Welcome to Selby”. The locals hated this and I’m sure it created great confusion to visitors.

It is interesting at local level across mainland Europe that decisions can be made at parish council level, this includes where money can be spent and, for example, how often the bins can be collected and the number of police officers they need.

As a result, it encourages local communities to vote. That is how democracy is supposed to work and not this top down centralised “we know best” political nonsense which is only further alienating the public.

No doubt the huge salaries will be the main driver in achieving the proposed mega councils, but, be assured, that democracy will be the loser and it will not be in the public interest.

From: Nick Hudson, Harrogate.

I DON’T think the various warring factions of Yorkshire’s local government hierarchy need worry about “Whitehall mandarins” shaping their future(s).

Boris Johnson’s puppet-master Dominic Cummings has made a pretty good start to eliminating them. So squabble on. I’m sure at the end of the day, in time honoured tradition, the golden handshakes will be many and generous.

I’m also sure that at least three brand new state-of-the-art council offices will be needed to accommodate the survivors.

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Thank you

James Mitchinson