The Destruction of Local Councils in England

Westcountryman · 06-08-2007, 04:28 PM

A letter I sent to Matthew Taylor on the subject:

Quote:

Dear Mr. Taylor,

I am writing to you regarding the proposed Unitary Authority for Cornwall. I was shocked and dismayed to hear that despite massive local opposition, the plan is going ahead. I was even more disturbed to hear your colleague – Julia Goldsworthy – supporting the plan. Surely, since your Party supposedly believes in 'local democracy' and local decision making, you should object to the plans?

Four district councils – Penwith, Kerrier, Carrick and Caradon have conducted a poll – initially refused by the County Council, which has revealed a huge majority (over 80%) in opposition to the proposal.

71,722 residents voted in the district council poll with a total of 58,087 opposed to the unitary proposal. Only 13,281 were in favour.

In Caradon the District Council result was: – 81.2% opposed.
In Carrick the District Council result was: – 75.5% opposed.
In Kerrier the District Council result was: – 78.9% opposed.
And in Penwith the District Council result was: – 88.8% opposed.

As the results suggest, the proposal for a Unitary Authority is massively unpopular. Yet, for reasons unknown, it is going ahead. If people were really interested in the supposed savings, or the promised 'better service', surely they would be in favour of the proposal?

In fact, Cornwall County Council is hardly popular, for example it is the only Council in the UK that has proposed getting rid of 24 hour fire cover – hardly a popular move. It seems to me that this is simply a power grab by the failing County Council, which is seeking to usurp the power of the much more competent district councils.

Also, call me a cynic, but it seems odd that the County Council, which is dominated by the Liberal Democrats, would seek to destroy the district councils in this manner – against their will and the will of the people – could this have anything to do with the fact that the Liberal Democrats lost control of several district councils in the recent local elections?

I await your reply with great interest.

Yours Sincerely,

Eurosceptic Atlanticist

Tony Bennett · 06-08-2007, 04:57 PM

The European Union requires regions - and below them, unitary authorities.

Plus the destruction of English heritage and traditions - like the shires (Anglo-Saxon) or counties (imported Norman terminology) of England, most of which, uniquely on our planet, I think, had remained unchanged for up to or even over 1,000 years...that is, until the late Sir Edwrad Heath started breaking them up with the Local Government Act 1972 (remember Avon, Humberside and Cleveland? - and the temporary abolition of Rutland?)

The process of destroying counties continues - though the new 'Cornwall Council' will be one of the few new 'unitary authorities' to at least retain (more or less) its original boundaries AND name.

As Cornwall is I think nearly 100 miles long at its longest, it'll add quite a big 'carbon footprint' for all the councillors to attend every meetings of the new 'Cornwall Council' - good business for Shell and BP though.

-----------------------------------------

Check out these links:

County Durham residents vote 76% against unitary authorities:

http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/...uthorities.php

Government gives go-ahead to councils shake-up:

http://society.guardian.co.uk/localg...134502,00.html

CountyWatch campaigns in support of historic county boundaries:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CountyWatch

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For_England · 06-08-2007, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Bennett

The European Union requires regions - and below them, unitary authorities.

Plus the destruction of English heritage and traditions - like the shires (Anglo-Saxon) or counties (imported Norman terminology) of England, most of which, uniquely on our planet, I think, had remained unchanged for up to or even over 1,000 years...that is, until the late Sir Edwrad Heath started breaking them up with the Local Government Act 1972 (remember Avon, Humberside and Cleveland? - and the temporary abolition of Rutland?)

It is mind-boggling to see this kind of thing going on. They don't even pretend to have a democratic mandate, and they don't even care. What goes through these people's minds?

Populist Lee · 06-08-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Bennett

- like the shires (Anglo-Saxon) or counties (imported Norman terminology) of England, most of which, uniquely on our planet, I think, had remained unchanged for up to or even over 1,000 years...

Yes.
In southern England the Shires date back to the reign of Athelstan (925 - 939).

Millennium3 · 06-08-2007, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnpforme

It is mind-boggling to see this kind of thing going on. They don't even pretend to have a democratic mandate, and they don't even care. What goes through these people's minds?

As that nice Mr Mandelson said - we are in the post democratic era now!

For_England · 06-08-2007, 07:56 PM

he actually said that? so I suppose we are supposed to just happily let these fools make decisions in our name for our 'own best interests'? How did we get this far I don't know. What did our grandfathers fight in the war for, if not for democracy? I so hope one day these people will be brought to trial for their crimes.

Millennium3 · 06-08-2007, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnpforme

he actually said that? so I suppose we are supposed to just happily let these fools make decisions in our name for our 'own best interests'? How did we get this far I don't know. What did our grandfathers fight in the war for, if not for democracy? I so hope one day these people will be brought to trial for their crimes.

As far as I can see the majority have been distracted by a gluttony of 'getting and spending'. This has been lead by women [who always were this less political of the sexes], who now have immense control since, if there are children, the laws have allowed them to get shot of their husbands if they step out of line - keeping the house and the children and a good proportion of his pay. So husband's shop instead of taking notice of what is around them.

This post is a direct result of visting a giant M&S last Sunday soon after eleven [opening time]. The car park was by then almost full. I asked the cashier if they were always that busy on a Sunday. She told me some Sundays they are queueing up to get in at opening time.

g hall · 06-08-2007, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millennium3

This post is a direct result of visting a giant M&S last Sunday soon after eleven [opening time]. The car park was by then almost full. I asked the cashier if they were always that busy on a Sunday. She told me some Sundays they are queueing up to get in at opening time.

Thank that nice god fearing John Major

There is no punishment bad enough for this "man" not even having to shag Edwina Currie

mkpdavies · 06-08-2007, 08:36 PM

I like Sunday openings. Many people who earn double bubble like working Sundays (me included).

As long as you aren't forced to do "stuff" on Sunday, I don't see what the big deal is. Sunday isn't special to me, other than it's a designated rest day.

Millennium3 · 06-08-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkpdavies

I like Sunday openings. Many people who earn double bubble like working Sundays (me included).

As long as you aren't forced to do "stuff" on Sunday, I don't see what the big deal is. Sunday isn't special to me, other than it's a designated rest day.

My point wasn't particularly the Sunday opening but that 'getting and spending' has become everything for so many that they are blind to the political changes going on around them.

06-08-2007, 04:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tony Bennett Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 755	No more districts, no more counties The European Union requires regions - and below them, unitary authorities. Plus the destruction of English heritage and traditions - like the shires (Anglo-Saxon) or counties (imported Norman terminology) of England, most of which, uniquely on our planet, I think, had remained unchanged for up to or even over 1,000 years...that is, until the late Sir Edwrad Heath started breaking them up with the Local Government Act 1972 (remember Avon, Humberside and Cleveland? - and the temporary abolition of Rutland?) The process of destroying counties continues - though the new 'Cornwall Council' will be one of the few new 'unitary authorities' to at least retain (more or less) its original boundaries AND name. As Cornwall is I think nearly 100 miles long at its longest, it'll add quite a big 'carbon footprint' for all the councillors to attend every meetings of the new 'Cornwall Council' - good business for Shell and BP though. ----------------------------------------- Check out these links: County Durham residents vote 76% against unitary authorities: http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/...uthorities.php Government gives go-ahead to councils shake-up: http://society.guardian.co.uk/localg...134502,00.html CountyWatch campaigns in support of historic county boundaries: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CountyWatch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last edited by Tony Bennett; 06-08-2007 at 05:12 PM. Reason: Added three links plus reference to Loc. Gov. Act

06-08-2007, 08:36 PM	#19 (permalink)
mkpdavies Uber Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Woking Posts: 30,604	I like Sunday openings. Many people who earn double bubble like working Sundays (me included). As long as you aren't forced to do "stuff" on Sunday, I don't see what the big deal is. Sunday isn't special to me, other than it's a designated rest day. __________________ http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/ http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/ http://lpuk.org My ignore list Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

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06-08-2007, 07:56 PM	#16 (permalink)
For_England Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,665	he actually said that? so I suppose we are supposed to just happily let these fools make decisions in our name for our 'own best interests'? How did we get this far I don't know. What did our grandfathers fight in the war for, if not for democracy? I so hope one day these people will be brought to trial for their crimes.