A single unitary authority or should we go it alone?

TRYING to achieve consensus on the dilemma of unitaries for Devon is not an easy task. The issue is complex — it is easy enough to give the pros and the cons, but it is really difficult to make your mind up, unless it is seen as a party-political matter, with a Conservative majority in North Devon fighting to maintain the status quo (and, in a sense, their jobs) or the Lib Dem majority in Exeter, perceivably trying to wrest control from the districts.

We in North Devon may well consider that a single authority for Devon spells the end of local autonomy for us. In terms of the decentralisation that the Green Party, for instance, has always advocated, this has to be of major concern. A single unitary council would mean each councillor representing up to four times as many constituents, necessitating long journeys from rural areas to Exeter.

Despite the strong local identity and relatively robust economy of North Devon, can it survive on its own? Plymouth will suck in South Hams, Ivybridge, perhaps Tavistock; Torquay will absorb Exmouth, perhaps Newton Abbot; Exeter will absorb Crediton, perhaps Tiverton — that's a pretty robust tax-base. But Barnstaple merging with Bideford?

We are told in the latest report from DCC that a single unitary for Devon will save more than £28 million in the first five years. The separate district councils in Devon have duplication of executive, officer, councillor and services' provision on a grand scale, resulting in a massive waste of resources.

Is it disingenuous to imply that North Devon will be marginalised and ignored by an authority based in Exeter? Much more research and debate needs to be done on the proposed 28 Community Boards. These are untried and untested — but so are large rural unitaries of the sort that NDC are promoting. In terms of Barnstaple, these are a very exciting prospect for our large quality town council. Then we are warned about the collapse of local representation. This is a bit of a spurious argument, I'm afraid, with too many councillors returned again and again on an inert vote, some unopposed and most from only a tiny percentage poll. On the coat-tails of a boundary review, we need a fundamental reform of the electoral system, so that minorities can feel represented.

Perhaps at times like this, when we are being asked to choose between a rock and a hard place, it might be better just to get on with it and take the flak — because that's what will probably happen anyway. Less cynically, let us all hope that, whatever the outcome of this lengthy consultation, it will be in the best interests of the people of Devon (and Shropshire, Wiltshire and Cornwall, for that matter, as they are also going through the mill on this); that the changes are for the better, they are well set-up, sustainable, economical (within reason), accountable, transparent, democratic — and effective!

CLLR RICKY KNIGHT,

Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for North Devon.