Public safety is the right basis for regulation, public outrage is not. Yet time and again, politicians have brought in new laws tailored to the magnitude of the outcry, not the facts of the crime.
If one simple student society can’t avoid the metastasiation of unelected office holders, what hope has a government?
Croydon has a “Cultural Transformation Engagement Programme” – and there’s more elsewhere.
Suffolk County Council demanded a hedge be drastically cut back – destroying a blackbird habitat and flowers that attracted bees.
While retail still has its place, trying to maintain its presence on the high street through artificial advantage is clearly no longer viable.
Law abiding local citizens face continuous harassment. Genuine problems caused by illegal activity are ignored.
Limiting councils’ discretion could lead to a lot of fuss for little real change. The real problem is a geographically unbalanced economy.
The NHS employs 1.75 million people and is too monolithic. The number of civil servants has risen to 460,000. This is territory which the Chancellor needs to examine in detail.
By removing red tape around the use of property, our town centres have a chance to be reborn – to allow what people, rather than planners, wish to see.
Plus: councils will not go bust – and restrictions are to be eased on eating al fresco.
There are glossy reports and poorly attended meetings. But obvious failings are ignored.
Instead of seeing local councillors as a potential saving, maybe we should see them as an asset.
Regulations should be applied lightly and Business Rates cut. Improving transport links must be championed.
Amidst all the regulatory muddle, there has indeed been “gold plating” of EU regulations. All the more reason to leave.
Here is one firm’s account of how unnecessary costs and delay in the planning system holds them back. Timescales promised by councils are not honoured.