IT is being proposed that parish councillors receive £1,000 each and county councillors £10,000 each of taxpayers’ money to disburse as they will, individually.

This is being done in the name of “localism”. It is nothing of the sort: it is a ruse to distract us from ineffective government.

Localism works when it is faithful to the principle of subsidiarity: devolve business to the lowest level of assured competency and effectiveness.

Councillors in the UK are elected on the basis that they will participate in a corporate process – their council – and determine action together as a corporate body.

None of them has been elected to spend money on their own, in any way. This development would be a betrayal of the contract with electors, and a usurpation of democratic power from councils.

Councillors should get together and do what they were elected to do: collaborate to deliver electors’ agendas.

EOIN MCCARTHY
West Malvern