A letter from Cllr Michael Williams, Tenby

Dear Editor

There can be little doubt currently that local government is failing.

The reduction of basic services does, in my view, mean that PCC often no longer provides basic statutory services to the huge detriment of our communities.

Have no doubt, it is not the fault of what officers that are left - many are carrying out duties the kind of which they never expected to have to undertake whilst being starved of basic resources.  Many are running more than one portfolio, putting huge strain upon them.

It was reported in the week that in the UK, one in ten local authorities are facing bankruptcy, with a further estimate that up to 50 per cent will be in this situation in five years time.

Authorities nation-wide have seen their funding reduced dramatically in the last ten years. This is not sustainable. Currently we face the complete loss of centres such as those which support the most vulnerable in our society.

A first action must be to reduce the number of county councils in Wales from the current 22 to five, but I very much doubt if turkeys will vote for Christmas.

The only hope for this, realistically, is the continued diminution of basic services which might result in some sense arriving. There must be a total reorganisation of minor authorities, the current situation is farcical.

In Pembrokeshire alone, minor authorities cost in excess of £2m a year and most contribute little if anything apart from for some a form of sense self aggrandisement for some individuals.

I have always believed that any political candidate should be wide open about their political leanings, as those leanings will inevitably influence their actions. It does mean as an individual you will lose votes, but at least it reflects honesty, something so sadly absent.

If local democracy is to survive, let alone thrive, a major change of attitude must prevail. Democracy is already undermined by the growth of bodies such as the Swansea Bay City deal initiative, a brilliant example of how smoke and mirrors are used with little if any benefit to communities, plus the establishment of Enterprise Zones, a failed initiative from the 1970s - another meaningless outfit.

We must also remember Levelling Up, a sad joke played upon us. These bodies appear to be answerable to nobody, almost Orwellian, or perhaps Kafkaesque.

It is indeed time for the political pygmies to stand up and be counted, put aside their veils of anonymity, and do their jobs. Put aside the obsession with photos on social media and get your hands dirty. That's what we are paid for.

Yours 

Michael Williams.