Posted at 12th April 2008 17:16Untouchable Quangos dragged into politics
Flooding and lack of sea defences has raised levels of suspicion higher than the North Sea. It seems that unaccountable bodies such as the Environment Agency and Natural England were joined by the unaccountable quango that is the Broads Authority in a meeting to decide not to defend the Norfolk coast, the River Thurne and six villages. Homes and jobs. Just who do these people think they are even dicussing matters like this without so much as a discussion with those most affected? Unease was increased by the ill-disguised glee of conservation groups at the prospect of a shallow salt water reserve in an area that was recently someone’s family home.
As central government apparently rates this delightful corner of Norfolk at nought, the best suggestion to date is that they should grant us independence. We’ll stop paying taxes, stop wasting money on overseas wars, Health & Safety, illegal immigrants and politically correct schooling and look after our own coastline. Tax free beer too.
Norfolk du diffrunt - they say. Thank heavens we have some politicians of moral stature who are prepared to stand up and be counted. Norman Lamb is playing a blinder on coastal defences and we must also not forget his stance on the Broads Authority’s Private Bill, in line with Richard Bacon and Keith Simpson. It seems we now have another with the confidence to stand up and be counted in the form of John Fuller, leader of South Norfolk Council. The document this council has prepared on unitary authorities is a well thought out, positive contribution to the debate with the good of the county at its heart. Imagine the delight to read on page six of their presentation:
" ... we propose that the functions of the Broads Authority revert to Harbour and River Conservation Board and that executive functions like planning are returned to the successor unitary authorities."
Oh joy! Common sense at last! Reducing this Authority’s responsibility is by far the most effective method to focus management attention. Their most consistent success to date is steadily increasing establishment. Cut the Broads Authority down to a Harbour Conservancy, with more practical input and less academic distraction and the rivers may actually get properly maintained. There’s nothing clever about taking silt from the bottom of a river and putting it on the bank.
South Norfolk deserves your support for their efforts and all our thanks for dragging the great unaccountable into the political arena.
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