THE threat of West Devon Borough Council being subsumed within a proposed Unitary Authority, to be based in Exeter, is real and imminent (ref the letter from Barrie Duke and the piece from Cllr McInnes in last week's Times).
The main argument given in favour of such centralisation is increased efficiency, which is admirable and has to be supported. Whether or not that is always what happens, can be challenged by examples of failure from elsewhere.
The principal argument against such a move, though, is loss of representation. So, in principle, I am in favour of maintaining the status quo.
From the point of view of councillors and council officers, of course, who could lose their jobs, understandably they are against such a move.
Electors (like myself) see the inevitable dilution of representation as a weakening of the democratic process, so, in principle, I am also against the move. However, councillors and council officers are worthy of support so long as they truly represent the wishes of the electorate. If they fail to do so, (for example with regards to the forthcoming vote on the Core Strategy, the needs of Age Concern and other local matters), the case in favour of the proposed Unitary Authority will be overwhelming.
Jeremy Davies
Tavistock