Sir, – It is interesting that Phil Hogan is reducing the amount of local democracy at the same time as the local councils are suffering shortfalls due to the non-payment of the household charge. Surely this then means the forthcoming property tax will also be centralised rather than the more democratic system where local services are funded by local taxes and spend decided upon by local representation.
Either centralise all, do away with local representation and end the current sham; or allow local authorities to raise their funding. – Yours, etc,