Some of my ideas have come about and others haven’t, but it’s more than a whimsical simile that local government turns slower than an oil tanker.
A heroic councillor in East Grinstead gives up his allowances. The people of Sandwell are indignant about high pay for town hall bosses.
The removal of the precept, a virtually guaranteed source of income, could well lead to greater fiscal prudence.
A friend of mine who runs the pub decided to turn his hand to takeaway food – delivering a meal to every vulnerable older person at no charge.
I understand how public service can be a daunting prospect. But it can be one of the most rewarding moves you ever make.
If we are going to build 300,000 homes and ensure public support, quality really counts. Let’s have new homes that we can be proud of for hundreds of years.
Rather than being encouraged to maintain village halls and public lavatories, too often community efforts have been penalised by the tax system.
Don’t try to please everyone. Focus on results not endless meetings. It doesn’t matter what it says in the minutes – nobody reads them.
A switch to unitary authorities would save money and avoid confusion over the responsibility for different services.