The Torridge Green Party is urging careful consideration of local government changes to protect rural services and ensure community needs are met
In a recent statement, they acknowledged that Devon’s three-tier system has its issues. But they stressed that simplifying governance shouldn’t mean sacrificing quality or fairness.
They pointed out that cutting down on local government tiers might seem efficient. But if it’s just about saving money, it could lead to worse services, especially in less populated areas.
The party also raised concerns about the government’s focus on efficiency and elected mayors. They believe this approach might not tackle the unique challenges faced by rural communities like Torridge and North Devon.
Elected mayors might boost engagement in cities, but they won’t help rural areas where public transport is scarce. Many communities are far from decision-making centers, making it hard for them to be heard.
They even compared distances, saying that parts of North Devon are as far from Exeter as London is from Cambridge.
The Green Party also criticized the government’s democratic mandate. They noted that reorganizing local government wasn’t part of the Conservative Party’s election promises.
They pointed out that the current government has a strong majority but was elected with only 33.7% of the votes. They believe there are more pressing issues to tackle, like climate change and housing.
To make sure reforms truly benefit communities, the Green Party laid out some key principles. They want a cautious approach, extensive consultation, and fair resource allocation based on local needs.
They also suggest merging Torridge and North Devon councils, as they share similar challenges. Lastly, they advocate for proportional representation in elections for any new authorities to boost public engagement and accountability.
