YP Letters: Close councils to boost vital local services

NORTH Yorkshire County Council leader Carl Les has confirmed what many people have felt for a long time (The Yorkshire Post, November 17), namely that there is far too much local government in the county.

My rough calculation indicates that if these seven district councils were closed, leaving “front line” services and the local democratic voice in place, then savings could be at least £50m per year, and maybe a lot more if redundant council offices were converted into badly-needed homes.

Productivity improvements in local government started in London and are being rolled out across the UK. Unless North Yorkshire County Council gets to grips with this, they will end up being subsumed by nearby metropolitan authorities, and which I suspect few people want.

Cost savings of this magnitude could go a long way to helping North Yorkshire’s elderly and vulnerable. Britain is facing the gravest social problem in recent history – our ageing population – and North Yorkshire is on the front line. Change will not be easy, and not popular with everyone. Plenty of difficulties will arise along the way, but Coun Les should plough on and ignore the naysayers. It’s time for change.

From: Susan Galloway, Stirrup Close, York.

I WAS astounded to read that Julia Muilligan, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, has spent £141,437.50 on consultants to provide a business case for her pursuit of a take over of North Yorkshire’s fire service.

One has to wonder why she felt it necessary to employ consultants when, amongst her 15 staff, she has at least three whose role – according to her website – is to work with stakeholders, respond to consultations and engage with local communities. I am sure I am not alone in thinking that the office of PCC should be abolished, and the money be spent on front line policing.

Young came to our aid

From: Maureen Arnfield and Michael Brown, Croft Park, Leyland.

ON Saturday evening we were at Leeds Infirmary desperately trying to get my elderly brother, who is in a wheelchair, across the bridge leading to the Clarendon Suite for an MRI scan.

We had parked in the wrong car park and, as it was dark, we didn’t want to move as didn’t know our way in. So we decided to try the bridge but didn’t take into account how heavy my brother is. He has a brain tumour so struggles to walk and we found it very difficult.

Some young people came to our rescue... a young lad stepped over and said “here let me help” and took us straight to the Clarendon Suite door. I simply hugged him. I was so thankful that he came and helped us old people.

On the way back, yet another young man came and said: “Let me push him for you, I have pushed my mother for 30 years as she lost both her legs in an accident.” He was also wonderful.

Such caring young people in the centre of a big city like Leeds puts the yobs to shame. Thank you lads so very much, God bless you all.

Inaction over renewables

From: Dave Haskell, Cardigan, Ceredigion.

IN considering the merits of 
solar panels for producing electricity, experience has clearly shown the technology can be viable and environmentally friendly when fitted to buildings in the UK.

As an island, we are surrounded by tidal energy, so why are our so-called leaders dragging their feet on such projects as the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon?

Indeed, when it comes to technological and engineering challenges, politicians such as Ed Miliband, Chris Huhne, Ed Davey and Amber Rudd have a lot to answer for – future generations will find it hard to forgive our lethargy in allowing politicians to treat us like sheep and letting UK energy strategy become that of the mad house.

Let us hope Greg Clark, the Secretary for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, truly understands the necessary science.

Leeds in slow lane

From: ME Wright, Harrogate.

PAULA Dillon, the new president of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, is the latest to claim that that a mass transit system is needed for the city (The Yorkshire Post, November 21).

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, states that this remains “a key ambition”. It’s been that for the last 30-odd years and is ever more remote, thanks to council ineptitude and MPs who pursue party lines, rather than the well-being of the city and region.

Let footballers fund research

From: Tim Bradshaw, Slaithwaite.

GOOD to read Max Nottingham’s letter about heading a football and Alan Shearer’s programme regarding potential dementia.

Perhaps to help research, all the current highly-paid stars, along with the overpaid TV commentators, should allocate a certain percentage of their salaries to fund the project.

It would also probably be tax efficient and not a financial burden, but also do some good.

Why no fuel protests?

From: S Ellis, Rotherham.

FUEL prices are at a three year high because of Brexit.

I’m curious to know where our whinging Tory farmers and hauliers are and why no road or fuel depot blockades?