Maltheus reads in the EDP about the rise in uncontested seats in the local elections. Theres a number of alarming figures about the lack of contested seats but the most must be 'while just 24 of the district's 127 parish wards have got enough candidates to warrant an election' in North Norfolk.
Why is this? In Maltheus's first post he got criticised by the ominous named 'Unthankroad' who said that part of the reason there was a lack of candidates was because of critical observers of some other tripe. But do we play a part? Or is that grassroots are dying in large parts of the country and that people don't connect with political parties any more but more single issues or NGO's?
I doubt many would argue that this current state is undemocratic but what is the solution? Admittedly you could run as a independent if you wished but thats not too appealing to people unless there is a strong local issue. Or is it that people don't realise the type of power some councillors can have to change their local area? Do they think they are politically impotent and subservent to the higher echelons of politicians? I wouldn't mind your thoughts....
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I think if they knew how little power councillors had, they would be shcoked. It was remarked at during one council meeting in North Norfolk that we had to spend 90% of one full ocunil meeting dealing with directives and red tape from central government ( A Labour government) yet there was not a single Labour councillor on the council !)
Planning law is subject to legal rigour and scrutiny and cannot be dealt with in an opinionated way, or else you are subject to appeal, meaning even people on planning committee's have very little real power and are there only to rubber stamp.
I echo the points made by Norfolk Blogger. There needs to be far greater powers for Town and District Councils and they need to have a serious say on what happens in their community and the ability to take action - by having far more money available to them instead of it all being held centrally. If this was to occur, there would be a mad rush of people wanting to be candidates, instead we have people standing knowing full well they will just have to attend various council meetings but can't actually have much authority. Best wishes, Terry (a local government candidate for 3rd May!)
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