LETTERS have been published recently raising questions in the management of local government and suggesting solutions. Other measures should also be considered to improve the whole system of local democracy.
There continues to be concern at the very low turnout in local and national elections.
Local and national government have made efforts over recent times to improve this by spreading voting times over a longer period, voting in more convenient places such as supermarkets, libraries, voting electronically, together with other initiatives.
I would put forward another option to increase participation in the voting process. Those households where all persons eligible who turn out and vote in an election whether it be local or national, then that household would qualify for a discount on their council tax. A further discount could be earned after a person from that household has attended a meeting of a borough council committee.
Not only will this increase the level of the turnout in both local and national elections it will also provide a greater understanding of what decisions are taken on behalf of the electorate, by locally elected councillors.
Roy Connelly
19 Manor Road, Tavistock