We need more local councils

I am inclined to agree with Peter Topley (City Council Best Of A Bad Bunch, Letters and Opinion, Kentish Gazette, March 17) that we need a larger local authority for east Kent.

We need to attract politicians with the ability to sponsor major economic developments and with the clout to stand up to the large companies who now provide many local services.

However, many residents of Thanet, in particular, are opposed to such an initiative.

The problem is not the council officers, who in my experience are competent and conscientious.

The real issue is with elected members, whose performance in certain authorities has fallen short of acceptable standards.

Ordinary voters do not wish to give more power to such councillors.

Before a new authority is set up, a lot of work will be needed to ensure that it will be efficient and democratic and to get genuine local acceptance of it.

In east Kent, our local settlements are on Anglo-saxon lines, not those of the Norman-subjugated shires of middle England.

Therefore we need additional grassroots councils for places like Herne Bay, Whitstable, Broadstairs and Ramsgate for really local matters.

Finally, while the new authority may take some staff from Canterbury, it is unlikely the headquarters should be here, not least on cost grounds.

Dover’s offices at Whitfield are likely to be a better choice. Frederic Stansfield St Augustine’s Park, Ramsgate