Politics...

Roughly two months into our new MP's reign and nothing much has appeared in the local press(if it has I've missed it)Maybe, the work really starts when Parliament returns from it's Summer Recess. Has he the quality that will see him elevated as many MP's have been from the North East of England and Scotland?

Maybe, it is better to have an MP that is not in the inner circle, that maybe after over a decade of our representative being the Prime Minister and having been seen all over the world sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes not so and courting the media just a little too much it would be a welcome change. It means local matters will become important again.

What news have I heard associated with our MP in the first few months of his appointment. The town centre continues to be mentioned. I've seen a photo of him supporting some kind of environmental scheme.

Another story has appeared concerning the supermarket Tesco's which opened a large branch here. It revolves around the fact that there is a wind powered turbine standing beside the store and some questions raised as to whether it was erected without planning permission from the local Borough Council.

I seem to remember the story continues to suggest that back dated planning permission may be requested/has been. And for some reason our MP has written to the boss of Tesco's over some suggestion that information has been hard to obtain. Memory does not remind me if this was prompted by a constituent who had been to the MP's surgery and brought up concerns.

I'll admit to not being a lover of wind farms at the best of times and I question in many cases if they really are a viable answer to the energy problems. But I suppose you have to try to find some kind of renewable power.

I have stood near the thing and found not a whisper of wind on my face and yet it spins around really fast. It also does seem to be the strangest shape in comparison to those I have seen in recent years around the world. But have to assume it is being powered by the wind.

The big story though is that, within weeks of the local election taking place...our Government has announced that there are going to be nine unitary councils across England and they will all be operational sometime in 2008. So practically overnight, without little discussion or the chance for any of us to make our views known, various district and borough councils are to disappear and will be no more.

OK it is different to a proposed regional assembly idea that was thrown our way only a few years ago(the area despite having many famous politicians and public figures travelling to the North East)trying to persuade the population to say "Yes" It was an overwhelming defeat for the Government and those supporting the proposal, as the vote was a definite "No!"

Then, a proposal came around to try and put all the local housing stock run by the council under some kind of private scheme that would take over the repair and rents. Again, this went to a vote of the local people, the vote went the same way...the Tennant's wanted their land lord to continue to be the local borough council.

And then just a few months back the population was asked to vote for whether they wanted a unitary Council running things and the vote came out in favour leaving things as they were. The public spoke...the result was "No" again. But within weeks of the result it has been announced the idea will happen. So what was the point of voting?

And though slightly different another form has come around asking if Tennant's want their houses to be under the Unitary Council's care(when it takes over) or another sort of scheme. So again, the previous ballot and result means nothing. As I write this I cannot say what is the best idea.

If all these local councils are being wound up...what happens to all the councillors and officials that were just voted in less than a few months ago in local elections? I guess it will mean another election and they will have to stand for office again and this time be answerable to the County Council.

Local government has to be seen to run smoothly and it just can't stop, but you could understand if the local machine that is being wound up asked "Why bother?"

You'll remember my earlier entries regarding the slow progress of the town centre being completed and the state of some of the existing buildings that will remain standing(and those that were due to be demolished) It seemed as soon as the newer part of the town was completed everything came to a standstill and the rest of the plans became tied up in red tape.

We had promises from local council officials in flyers at the time of local election suggesting things were moving along(those particular council officials were voted out)by the local townsfolk. But would there have been any difference, as now we know that the Borough Council is being wound down? And by the time the development begins again the Council won't be there and therefore this may have to be taken over by the unitary body.

A newly elected Independent councillor has looked into matters and his findings were published in the local free sheet and the changes will be quite some time away. At best we may at least see the Health Centre and Town library relocated temporally. Which would be an improvement of some kind.

But I guess once more the townsfolk are in limbo as far this goes. And the area will be affected by the changes countywide, so for good or bad it won't be just our town that will be affected. Like anyone I have no idea if this idea is good or bad because it's never been tried. Perhaps it will take so long to for this to be known, I'll be so old I won't care or may not be around.

Update:The teletext service of ITV is carrying a story today that a neighbouring council Easington is launching a legal challenge regarding the abolishment of their council under the Government's plans and it's expected that other councils threatened with extinction will join them.

If this happens I suspect other councils nationwide will watch with interest.