Scotland, Wales & Cornwall
I am grateful to my correspondents for contributing to the discussion about how many members Cornwall Council actually needs and how close this might be to the number it was born with (123.) I certainly accept that most councillors work very hard - but I'm not sure about the relationship between work-rate and the number of councillors.
There is no doubt that the job of the Welsh Assembly and that of the Scottish Parliament is somewhat different to that of Cornwall Council - but precisely how different? I can think of lots of similarities but only a handful of differences, of which Scotland's tax-raising powers and devolved responsibility for health and social policy are clearly the most important.
The really significant differences are at the bottom-end of the local government structure, where the Welsh and Scottish unitary councils carry far greater clout than the town and parish councils we have in Cornwall.
I wonder if Cornwall's town and parish councillors think that last year's re-organisation perhaps left Cornish local government rather lop-sided, with too many chiefs and not enough indians. If parish councils got more powers, would this attract a higher-calibre of candidate to seek election?
Am I being rude to even suggest that parish councils don't attract high-calibre candidates already?
I'm ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio Devon’s Graham Smith, blogging on news, views and some fresh insights into West Country life, particularly the way government works locally and nationally.
Comment number 1.
At 24th Mar 2010, CJenkin wrote:"The really significant differences are at the bottom-end of the local government structure, where the Welsh and Scottish unitary councils carry far greater clout than the town and parish councils we have in Cornwall."
Again this isn't a similar comparison, Welsh and Scottish unitaries have similar powers to Cornwall Council. We have less councillors at the same level. Wales and Scotland have community councils which are at the same level as parish, town and city council in Cornwall.
As a very local councillor at that level, I can tell you that we have very limited powers and that there has been absolutely no devolution downwards from Cornwall Council.
Indeed the whole unitary project has resulted in greater centralisation, less local govt and less local representation. In the past I would have had upto 4 councillors to approach about a local problem that would be in a position to influence a statutory body, I now have one. If you live in a part of Cornwall where that one is not very good or has a political agenda that won't back your complaint then you're stuffed.
Many parishes struggle to fill vacancies but being a parish councillor is a thankless task as their views are largely unheeded.
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Comment number 2.
At 25th Mar 2010, Sue C wrote:I agree with CJenkin in that there has been no devolution downwards from Cornwall Council. The one Cornwall Councillor my area now has is also on the Cabinet and 'sits on the fence' whenever an issue regarding my community comes up as the councillor concerned doesn't want to be seen to be biased. This means that residents have no one else to turn to for support on local issues as there is only ONE councillor for the area. The process of change to a unitary authority has also been disruptive for Council staff and left many communities desperately trying to make their voices heard but given no guidance as to who or which department at the Council they should speak to. The new Community Networks are only just up and running some 9 months after the election, too late for many communities who needed help and advice during the past year. The people of Cornwall need to be able to communicate their concerns and needs quickly and to someone who knows their local community. If the Council structure is 'top-heavy' with management this leaves fewer staff lower down to deal make direct contact with the public and will leave communities feeling they are not being listened to.
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