A question of local power
From: David Seex, Thirsk.
PAUL Shelvin, of Craven District Council, makes valid points criticising the seemingly rushed restructuring of local government in North Yorkshire.
Of all the parts of England, North Yorkshire is the least suitable for the single- tier local government structure, and the benefits of the so called “devolution” relatively insignificant, particularly compared to the cuts already implemented.
Even where devolution has been greatest, as in London and Manchester, there has been no substantial transfer of powers from central to local government. Rather there has simply been a modest increase in funding and local control.
While both the main political parties have become in thrall to the unitary system of local government, while nevertheless thinking it necessary for London to have two tiers, it seems most likely that North Yorkshire will have to conclude a unitary system at some point.
The implication that the “One Yorkshire” model should be abandoned ( The Yorkshire Post, September 25) is premature.
Any genuine devolution of powers from central government would require a larger population and geographical area than is to be found in almost all council areas and thus an aspiration for a proper form of regional devolution is something worth maintaining, even if only on the “back burner” until we have a government more responsive to local power.