Sir, We in town and parish councils have always worked in close partnership with the Local Government Association, so I regret that I must disagree with the views expressed by my colleague Sir Jeremy Beecham (letter, January 6).

Empowerment of local communities is central to achieving modern and effective local government. People want greater control over the local decisions that affect them. Too often people feel they do not have the power to exercise that control.

We therefore welcome the Government’s ideas about devolution beyond the town hall. These are likely to include expanding the role of the existing 8,500 town and parish councils; creating new town and parish councils (about 150 have been created since 1997); and creating new neighbourhood councils and forums in areas without parish councils.

There are already nearly 100,000 town and parish councillors across the country, whose work reflects just what can be achieved through community decision-making at the most local level.

Local government requires a simple and efficient structure with two levels of operation: elected principal authorities for the strategic management of public services; and elected community bodies at the town, village and neighbourhood level.

Yours faithfully,
KEN CLEARY,
Chairman,
National Association of Local Councils,
109 Great Russell Street, WC1B 3LD.
January 6.

From Councillor Gordon C. Keymer

Sir, The leader of Durham County Council writes that, in November’s referendum on regional government, the electorate in his area supported a new local government structure based on the county council (letter, January 6).

Fewer than half of the total who voted in the referendum supported that and, more importantly, the status quo was not offered as an option. In the neighbouring county the voters supported a new structure based on groups of district councils. The key point of the referendum was the rejection of regional government.

The effective provision of local services is what matters most to residents. Councillors should be allowed to concentrate on doing the job they were elected to do: provide the best services they can within the available funds.

Yours faithfully,
GORDON C. KEYMER,
(Chairman, Conservative Districts’ Forum),
Local Government Association,
Local Government House,
Smith Square, SW1P 3HZ.
January 6.

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