LOCAL GOVERNMENT. WHY?

This won't be my usual news-based report but a more reflective piece. Two things started me along this mental track. The first was a letter in the media from Richard Kemp, a highly experienced (50 years!) fellow Independent, and Babergh and Suffolk Councillor.  He pointed out that national governments appear to have no belief in local government shown by 25 years of terrible funding. From 2010 to 2018, in one example, respected estimates are that a 40 to 50% real term reduction in central funding has taken place for councils. Richard suggests that since they also waste so much money nationally that they reassess whether they require us at all and how the services we provide could be supplied. It's a provocative question. If not Local Government, what then?

The second spark to my thoughts is the recent death of Patrick Kettle, a Brantham Parish Councillor for many years. Pat was on the PC when I joined in 2011, and he typified the quiet unheralded work of Parishes everywhere. Pat's special interest, experience and knowledge was in our recreation areas, and we dipped into it every time. That's how it works, we specialise but decide together from individual backgrounds. Pat's legacy here would be the continuity of the PC itself and all subsequent PC members. I'll miss his gentle approach, but it helped form the basis of my local government experience. 

We live in a world that increasingly trends to the idea that BIGGER is better, but I've noticed that bigger can also screw up massively. This isn't the place for examples though. You can easily find your own. I've always felt in politics and society that small is beautiful. It's families, village and community groups, parish councils and small units that turn the wheels of life. And we reach the key word here. Local. 

My own personal compass has expanded over the years from Family and Friends, Work, to Parish, District, and some bits of County and Region, but it has always been coloured by a local understanding. I've been in Opposition, Scrutiny of the Administration and a Cabinet member at Babergh. My foundation starts here, locally. You are not going to be able to have a conversation with the Prime Minister, or any Minister. Your MP will always be more than a bit remote. You might have a shot with a County Councillor, covering four times the area I do. The 'politicians' who live where you do, the locals, are not so distant. They are Parish and District Councillors, the core, to my mind, of Local Government. You could talk to someone like Pat, or I, and I hope you always can and do.

One role of Babergh council

Why then, Local Government? There must be some form of government. A free for all, everybody doing their 'own thing' can't work. It would be unfair, dangerous and tear us apart. Increasingly, we tend towards more and more central control, almost a monopoly of Government functions. The big questions of the National Economy, Defence, the national decisions must be made centrally (to whatever extent). That approach doesn't, and can't, work for local areas that must differ from each other. Providing a bin service in Birmingham is hugely different to the same in rural Suffolk. It's much cheaper and more sensible to do it locally. Deciding on how many dog bins your village needs, and exactly where, can't be done nationally or even at District level. The Parish will know a lot better because they live there. There are multiple examples of these situations.

It's important to note that contacts exist across all levels of Local Government to the others and Central Government. Honestly, some are more effective than others. If residents feel they are often ignored, I can assure you Councils feel the same way. We keep plugging away though wherever we can, on your behalf. 

It's interesting to note that when an emergency like the Pandemic strikes, Westminster (in general) is happy to use the knowledge of Local Councils to provide an informed and speedy response to the problem. We're valued then, just not when it comes to ensuring our continued existence and services. There always seem to be grandiose political vanity schemes that take precedence (and massive wasted funding) over our mundane real lives. Soon, as we approach our budget, I'll offer some relative costs in taxation terms for Central Government, County, District, Police and Parish Councils. It's an eye opener!

I could have gone into the Local Government Acts here, but rather than bore for Britain, I'm happy to discuss any of this personally if you wish. I'm a bit of a nerd about this.

As always, I'm still around and about. Have a look at the website for updates. Contact me with anything important by phone and email primarily. I'll always work to respond quickly. Or if you see one of the bike stable, wave or look for me nearby. I'm always happy to talk and help. 

Gov.uk. / Babergh.gov.uk. / 0300 123 4000 / Suffolk.gov.uk/ tendringdc.gov.uk

Brantham Video:  YouTube: Search for Alastair McCraw Brantham.

Alastair McCraw. 07812 564188 (or 07548 154296) [email protected]

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