A Single District Council?
Posted by G R Cotterill on Wednesday, 27th July 2011, 12:44
In posing this question I am going to make crystal clear at the outset that there are no hidden agendas being sought by this ‘consultative’ thread.
I like many am aware that to achieve a single district council would require an enormous piece of work and energy by many people and organisation. That said I feel time is ripe to have a clear idea what the people of Northwood, Gurnard and Cowes really want for the future, and how they see the way ‘local government’ is performed in their name.
At this point it is not the time for intractable positions or blind adherence to fixed and myopic stances. What is required are simple straightforward responses on whether the concept of a single authority would have any financial benefits, or bring a greater social understanding of what is necessary to deliver services that meet the expectations and aspirations of the people of the village.
In the final analysis, it may be that the combined residents of all three proposed communities overwhelmingly reject the idea; that being the case, then ‘local democracy has truly spoken’.
With events changing the modern world we cannot sit complacently by, then retreat into our shell, crab-like, when we are pressured by change.
I admit it would be nice to have chocolate box villages, society with all its airs and graces of days gone by, but we do live in a much changed world where money is king, and we must make alterations to the way in which we live as a society, like it or lump it.
I am simply seeking an answer to this question….
Would the amalgamation of Northwood, Gurnard, Cowes Councils into a single organisation, bring any benefit to the residents of the villages concerned?
Please be honest and not consider fully what is being asked.
Regards to all,
Special thoughts to those with problems at this time of the year.
G R Cotterill Northwood
2 Responses to “A Single District Council?”
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Village
- - Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
- - Cowes Amateur Winemakers
- - Cowes Heritage
- - Cowes Radar Ex-Employees Association
- - Cowes-Deauville Twinning Association
- - Friends of Northwood Cemetery
- - Friends of Northwood House and Park
- - Medham W.I.
- - Newport Rowing Club
- - Northwood Floral Art Group
- - Northwood Village Produce Association
- - Northwood W.I.
Parish Council
As asked in your post simple reasons for a district council:-
1. I think it would be a sensible move to combine the three local councils as our current coalition government is planning to give more power to local people.
2. This means more work for those that are involved and the point missed by many is that councillors on Parish and Town Councils don’t get paid; the workload will grow due to the offloading from the Isle of Wight Council, and it’s only the clerks that have a salary.
3. Many of the issues that will soon be placed on the table at these meetings, like local planning applications will be decided by the council at this level, it wont be as it is now, just a show of hands after a couple of minutes and let the Isle of Wight Planning sort it out.
4. It’s a long way from dog bins and notice boards, peoples lives are affected by planning decisions and not always for the better. Councillors on these “Big Society” councils will have to be available far more than they are now; it’s not even possible to email some councillors currently on the 3 councils!
5. The parish and town councils should ask the voters what they want sooner than later.
As the role of parish and town councils is due to be changed in this Country then surely its an ideal time to combine all three local councils and it will not only produce a more powerful council but will reduce the number of people involved and meetings and this will produce a huge cost reduction.
Steve L.
Yes it would.
HTH