Update from Chris Richards

Over the past few months, both my wife and myself have been asked occasionally what I am doing with myself now I am no longer a councillor ! Although I came second to UKIP in the County elections, I am still a District Councillor and as busy as ever serving on both Economy and Planning Committees.
That confusion confirmed to me that many people still do not realise that we have two authorities dealing with local matters ( apart from the Parish Council). It was on this platform that I and the other Independents stood at the recent County elections – that we should have just one council dealing with local affairs and spending rate-payers money.
Up to now, councillors have been reluctant to address the possibility of a one-tier ( unitary authority) – sometimes one suspects by those who would gain from maintaining the status quo. However I do believe the Independents are now driving the agenda and slowly succeeding. Last September, my Independent colleague, Peter Cooper, convinced AVDC’s Finance and Services Committee to investigate the costs and benefits of Bucks adopting a one-tier ( unitary) structure. Financial pressures on local authorities are unlikely to improve, so ways must be found to maintain services yet cut the costs of delivering them. Reducing the number of councillors from 250 in the five councils that cover Bucks to around 60 -80 would be a start and save a pound or two !
With all good wishes for 2014 and as ever, if you have any problems, please get in touch.