25/02/05

I thought that the vote against the Regional Assembly was the end of it. Now I learn that an unelected assembly is up and running.

Who gave these people the authority to form these groups? Who provides the finance? Where and how often do they meet - is the public invited to attend their meetings?

And finally, do these self-appointed groups pay themselves for the time committed, and if they do, who provides the cash?

May I also add that John Elliott hit the nail on the head when he said only central govenment can determine the economy of the region, regardless of any efforts these quangoes. - RC Hughes, Durham.

HAVING read of The Northern Echo's fringe meeting at the Labour Party conference in Gateshead (Echo, Feb 14), it would appear that the way ahead for the North-East is going to be a big dollop of the same medicine: the same quangos and that other anachronism, the un-elected/unelectable North East Assembly. The latter seems almost impossible to eradicate despite that overwhelming No! delivered by the people. It would seem that our Labour councillors refuse to accept their voters' mandate on that issue.

The most sage message is that of John Elliott when he says: "Our Government will not accept that it got the message wrong."

This is borne out by Ray Mallon's argument for "harmonisation", which to me smells of a regional rose by any other name. Yet Mr Mallon is probably doing more with his personal, distinctive style of leadership for Middlesbrough than any of the un-elected bodies.

It will be a very bleak future if the enthusiasm and civic feelings engendered by that historic No vote are allowed to wither into further disillusionment about the way we are governed. - Gerald O'Neil, Stockton.

HAEMATOLOGY CARE

HOW pleasing that Bishop Auckland General Hospital is considered to be best able to provide long-term in-patient haematology services for the area (Echo, Feb 7-24).

The first CT scanner in the district was bought for Bishop Auckland hospital with money raised by local people through a fund opened in April 1986 with a target of £350,000. As much as £463,000 was raised, which paid for a high quality scanner, in use from September 1989, and its running costs for two years.

The enormous generosity of the people of South West Durham continues to provide equipment for our hospital. We welcome the long-awaited new building, but are greatly dismayed by the transfer of so many services to Darlington. This inevitably leads to considerable inconvenience to both patients and visitors from Bishop Auckland and the surrounding widespread rural area.

We look forward to confirmation that an in-patient haematology unit will continue to be available at Bishop Auckland General Hospital. - G Beddows, Bishop Auckland Civic Society.

MPs' EXPENSES

IT CAN'T be good news that William Hague earned over £820,000 in the last 12 months from "a second income" (Echo, Feb 22). Surely being an MP is job enough, and most people will find an MP's salary of £57,000 more than ample.

Yet, despite all his lucrative after-dinner speaking, he only spoke in six Parliamentary debates throughout last year, ranking him a lowly 573rd out of 659 MPs.

There is also something quite distasteful about someone charging between £5,000-£10,000 per after-dinner speech having opposed the introduction of a minimum wage. - Neil Foster, Prospective Labour Candidate for Richmond.

HOW can it be appropriate for Alan Milburn to earn an extra £85,000 for six months when he was "spending more time with his family"? No wonder people are disillusioned - I don't think we need to look for flying pigs, just ones with their snouts in a trough.

I regard being an MP as a full-time job. I make this pledge: if I am elected in Darlington and am offered "outside activities", any fees will be donated to charity. - Robert Adamson, Prospective LibDem Candidate for Darlington.

I FIND it unbelievable that an MP like William Hague can claim his £57,000 while obviously using the time when he is being paid by the taxpayer to represent his constituents, for engagements that have amassed him a cool £800,000. Isn't this just a use of his public office for financial self-benefit? - Kevin Popper, Redcar.

TOWN CENTRE

THE plans for Darlington town centre should be looked at in more detail.

We may have a new town hall but at what cost? It seems Tesco is prepared to build one if it can place a hypermarket beside it.

But Darlington needs a bus station which is warm and comfortable far more than it does a hypermarket. Not to mention a bowling alley, ice rink, multiplex cinema and activities for the young.

A new town hall would be pleasing but is it economically viable? The present town hall could be renovated and the sculpture Resurgence be replaced by a representation of Locomotion No 1.

Another necessity would be the provision of many more free parking spaces.

The impressions of the new High Row look good but elderly arthritic people can only access the higher level at the extreme ends. Many cannot cope with the steps in the middle. The Victorian features should be retained for future generations. - VM Smith, Darlington.

THE proposals for Darlington's High Row will not benefit, enhance or improve access to the town centre.

I speak as the mother of a child who accesses the town in a wheelchair.

We currently have a run-down High Row due to lack of maintenance. However, last Friday, the Victorian balustrades and urns still managed to look elegant and classy even in the cold and grey, and they complement the indoor market, Victorian buildings and Yards which make Darlington unique.

The council is proudly returning South Park to its "former Victorian splendour" yet wishes to wipe out its Victorian town centre heart and replace it with a design which, in my view, will look dated in five years' time and is so featureless it could be anywhere.

Please update the High Row, but these proposals are out of context and must be rejected. - KD Douglas, Darlington.

POLICE FINANCE

NORTH Yorkshire Police has more than £25m in its bank account (Echo, Jan 20). The MP for Harrogate states this is outrageous. Now the authority has recommended a tax rise of just 2.6 per cent this year compared to a previous rise of more than 70 per cent. So who are the real villains? - George Hayes, Richmond.

MISS PENTYS

MAY I remind former pupils of Miss Pentys' (now Mrs Rundle) cookery class that the annual re-union will be held on Saturday July 2, 2005. More information from - Doreen Turner (nee Hodgson), 50 Dowber Way, Thirsk, Y07 1EP.