My background is in financial markets and investment. As a result, I tend to look at the world with a view to financial efficiency and value for money. There is no doubt about it, there is very poor efficiency and value for money in the public sector.
One area that I was particularly taken by is local government. Here in Worcestershire, we have seven big councils – Worcestershire County Council - and 6 local councils, including our own, Wyre Forest District Council. In all honesty, I’ve always found it surreal that we have, in a county the size of ours, seven personnel departments handling council employees. Or that household waste is collected by 6 district councils, but disposed of by the seventh – the county. Its bonkers.
But equally so, it is about democracy and representation. Should, for example, planning decisions for our local community be taken in faraway Worcester?
The new government has proposed that local government is reorganised. This is not just about merging, for example, our seven councils into one. It is also about super regions with new mayors.
To me, in the broadest way, it makes sense. We cut out all that extra fat that supports six extra councils in a county like Worcestershire. The proposals suggest councils with populations above 500,000 people. We are around 630,000 in Worcestershire, so it works for us.
I have been asked to comment and have written to the minister to say I agree with the proposals, as do Worcestershire County Council, Wyre Forest District, and Wychavon. Those disagreeing are Labour led (ironically) Worcester City and Redditch, whilst councils with no overall control (Bromsgrove and Malvern Hills) can’t make up their minds. But it doesn’t really matter what any of us think. This will move ahead anyway, but we need to take control of our destiny as much as we can. If we don’t, we run the risk of something happening that is not in our interests, such as being merged with Herefordshire, where the large county and small population mean council costs are very high.
But I am still mindful of the concept of local democracy. Labour has said it will give greater powers to the parish and town councils, thereby giving a greater voice to local communities. I think that is good, but I will make sure they deliver. But importantly, this will deliver better value for money for taxpayers and that is a good thing.