Wasteful government - is there any other kind?

Richard Nicholson, leader of the Labour Group on Thanet District Council said, while seconding the motion to create a Ramsgate Town Council, that it would be another wasteful tier of government. Now I'm not sure whether he meant all tiers of government are wasteful - Richard's grasp of English is never too strong at the best of times - so I assume it was a slip of the tongue.

But he presciently, if not intentionally, raised the idea that it is time to prune the useless branches from the ever-expanding administrative burden on the poor people of this nation of ours. We have Town/Parish, District, County, Parliamentary and European tiers of government as well as the unelected regional assemblies.

So what do we actually need?

What do you think?

To start the ball rolling I'd suggest, as Ramsgate First proposed in its leaflets, that the best and most efficient tier of government is the one nearest your doorstep. Town Councils. They are on the spot, understand their community's needs better and are far more accessible. The least needed are district councils.  Why can't we just have County and local councils?

Think about it and make your comments.

ramsgatefirst@btconnect.com

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