A unitary authority is best

I have not taken part in the unitary debate up to now but, in the face of the increasing stridency of those urging a vote for the status quo, I should like to put my point of view.

I was elected as a Bridgnorth district councillor three and a half years ago. Having spent my professional life in a London borough with a unitary council, I looked forward to making a worthwhile contribution in a small local authority, closer to the people it serves and easier to approach.

How great was my disappointment. What I have found is a cash-strapped council that, despite the sterling efforts of its officers and workforce, struggles to deliver decent services in the face of too few resources and growing bureaucracy.

The actual services provided by the district are relatively few. The housing stock is very well managed, but the "right to buy" means there is less of it each year.

Refuse collection is about to be taken over by the Shropshire Waste Partnership.

Many of the other facilities listed in the local government poll document are fairly minor and suffer from inadequate funding.

It seems clear the Government expects economies from a move to single tier local government and if this does not take place the remaining councils will be expected to achieve these same savings.

With services already cut to the bone and no possibility of increased council tax, I foresee a dismal future for Bridgnorth District Council.

A single authority will allow a greater concentration of expertise, better internal communication and no more uncertainty about who does what.

Dr CJA Jephcott, District Councillor Bridgnorth East Ward