BUCKS HERALD COMMENT (OCTOBER 1) - Local News

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BUCKS HERALD COMMENT (OCTOBER 1)

Published on 05/10/2003 10:41

(Wednesday October 1) THERE can't be much to laugh about this week for Tony Blair, and Bournemouth's balmy breezes will do little to curb post-war, post-Hutton disenchantment.

While he ponders on university fees and foundation hospitals, a letter from Bucks County Council leader David Shakespeare may come as light relief, and conference darling Gordon Brown who will receive the same missive, might forgo prudence for once and allow a smile.

Cllr Shakespeare is to put to the PM and Chancellor a most radical and wacky idea .

Cllr Shakespeare says if they do away with all those annoying government inspectors who plague the lives out of county councils, they can spend the millions saved on slashing pensioners' council tax bills.

It is fair to say that many people are fed up with what they see as the control freakery of this particular government with its tests, exams, assessments, and inspections, but is anyone really prepared to let county councils regulate themselves?

There has to be clear-sighted and objective scrutiny over what goes on at County Hall for both the council's and the taxpayers' sakes. But that does not mean that some regulation and its surrounding bureaucracy could not be reduced.

There is altogether too much costly red tape bleeding all our public services, so is there room here for a compromise?

As that other Shakespeare might have said; 'To prune or not to prune, that is the question...'

This week we report that more than 2,500 people have visited the Aylesbury Waterside exhibition at Friars Square .

What a great response to what will surely be a landmark development for the town – and our letters page too reflects people's concerns about such an important new venture. Asked to visit the display and play an active part in the discussions, the people of Aylesbury have certainly answered the call.

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BUCKS HERALD COMMENT (OCTOBER 1)

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