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.
When asked which tier of government they trusted to bring about pride in their area, two-thirds of people opted for their district council.
Another sensible public spending saving would be a complete switch to unitary authorities – which would also be less confusing for voters.
We said Labour would consolidate rather than make dramatic gains. That proved broadly accurate.
There are amazing opportunities for our county, now that our switch to unitary status has been confirmed.
The Highland Council is responsible for an area nearly ten times the size of Luxembourg and covering a third of Scotland.
Most Tory MPs either have no elections in their seats or only for a minority of their councillors, often in a minority of wards.
We are the second largest and most rural county in England. The component parts have a long history and consequently a real sense of place.
Creating a single new council from the eight currently operating will be a huge change. With devolution, the aim is to kick-start sustainable economic recovery.
This decision means an opportunity to fundamentally enhance local decision-making and move genuine power and responsibility to local communities.
The more radical his plans are, the more resistance there will be. But one can’t serve up a municipal omelette without breaking eggs.
A broad base of support is the best foundation for success. That means councils for the east and west of the county, reflecting local needs.
A single unitary authority in our county, is needed, as soon as possible, to help our communities to recover.
We should be asking ourselves what we want from local government in the future, particularly in light of the Covid-19 crisis.