Letters: Make your voices heard over devolution

I WRITE with deep concern regarding recent reports that the government’s devolution agenda could lead to the dissolution of New Forest District Council (NFDC), with minimal local engagement and no clear demonstration of the economic, social or administrative impacts such a restructuring would entail.

NFDC has served our communities with local knowledge, responsiveness, and accountability – values that risk being lost in a move towards larger, more centralised governance structures. It is alarming that no publicly available economic impact assessment appears to accompany these proposals, nor has there been any transparent, meaningful public consultation.

This top-down approach to restructuring raises serious questions about democratic accountability. Residents deserve to understand:

• What the consequences would be for local services, jobs, and council tax

• Whether any savings claimed by government have been properly evidenced

• Why such significant decisions are being made without our consent

We are not powerless. Residents have the right – and I believe, the responsibility to:

• Demand transparency from both central government and our local representatives

• Contact our MPs, Sir Desmond Swayne and Sir Julian Lewis, to request they challenge this proposal unless and until there is full consultation and economic justification

• Engage in public debate, raise petitions and consider legal challenge if procedural fairness has been ignored

Let us be clear: the fabric of local democracy is not for sale or quiet erasure. We must make our voices heard before decisions are made behind closed doors.

Aaron Lawford

Barton

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MY suspicion is that the majority of New Forest folk do not want devolution of our local councils.

It will cost us a small fortune to make the changes and we won't be better represented.

Come on readers, say no and make sure the MPs know your anger.

Richard F Grant

New Milton