WEST Devon Borough Council is in danger of being subsumed into a Unitary Authority, based in Exeter. This was announced by the Boundary Committee on December 7.  Fortunately there is still time for the public to do something about it — a six week consultation period now started, that allows representations to be made to the Secretary of State.  But this must be before January 19, when it ends.

If the proposal goes ahead — and if enough representations are made against it, there is a real possibility it could still be rejected— the good interaction between electors and our representatives currently existing will be lost, for ever.  This will be a great weakening of the local democratic process.

For example, the extensive work that has gone into the Core Strategy document — including all public contributions, in a true democratic spirit — will be endangered, as decision making will removed elsewhere.

The implications of Exeter City Council's proposal are fewer councillors, to represent considerably increased numbers of electors per councillor, over very dispersed areas of Devon. 

This will inevitably mean poorer representation, with weaker communication.

And, as Cllr McInnes, leader of West Devon Borough Council, points out, the adverse effects of such a policy are all too evident to see in Cornwall, who did go down that road.  I support his stand against the proposal.

Representation is easily made to the Secretary of State by email or by conventional mail at: Unitary Structures Team, Zone 3/J1, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU. 

We should all defend what we have.  It seems especially strange that the opportunity to make representation is being offered at a time when most people's minds will be on Christmas. Secretary of State John Denham may well not be in power if there is a change of government.  It is important to stand up to this, as well as to take issue over the plan itself.

Jeremy Davies

Tavistock