I became a local councillor (not in this area) way back in the 1970s when local government was being reorganised into larger units replacing the old town and rural councils, and I remember hearing the chief executive of one of the unitary councils telling us we had more power than an MP. That was then – but certainly not now.

As for the argument about the council being run by the officers should the committee structure be re-introduced, that can work both ways. If one could rely on seven strong councillors making up a cabinet, the cabinet system might work. If you select your seven cabinet members on the strength of their party allegiance and length of service, the results can be very suspect.

The cabinet system may be quicker, but is it achieving the sort of results local people want? Not in my view. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. And the lack of an effective system of questioning and seeking to identify and improve weak areas in any proposed policy decision (such as the present system whereby the cabinet can over-rule the scrutiny committee) allows just that scenario.”

JEAN TENNANT Former district & town councillor

http://www.middevongazette.co.uk/Cabinet-quick-results-wrong/story-24667479-detail/story.html