05/10/04

What the poll clearly shows is that abstainers found this non-issue too boring and irrelevant to waste their time on. After all, with businesses to run, time means money: a predicament which those who have the luxury of being employed at public expense rarely comprehend.

Lack of interest in regional government isn't exclusive to business, it's also the prevailing attitude among ordinary people. Without intensive networking by a committed group of insiders, this project wouldn't have got off the ground, it's that low on most people's list of spending priorities.

The status quo might not be Utopia, but a regional assembly isn't the answer either. It's not "home rule" or even devolution. There'll be no more power, and no more money either.

Those who don't want to see even bigger increases in council tax will vote No. - Gillian Swanson, Whitley Bay.

HOW disappointing to read that those who claim to speak for business interests in the region - those who we look to to help create prosperity - are so impervious to logic.

The arguments they put forward for rejecting a North-East assembly - greater running costs, more politicians, lack of power - have been conclusively refuted for some time now. And they have no new arguments to put in their place.

I believe that a North-East assembly will have tremendous benefits for all of us.

It will promote regional cohesion. Thinking strategically for the region is vital if we are to prosper. More importantly, it will democratise a level of bureaucracy which is already there. The North-East is set to be a pioneer in an exciting and enabling development.

Fear of change would be a sad reason for throwing away this opportunity. - Coun Barbara Laurie, Bishop Auckland.

IN politics there is nothing new. When we in the North-East are effectively making law for the whole of the United Kingdom (as we would be if we were so foolish to vote for a regional assembly) it is worth looking at how and why regional government has been attempted elsewhere.

In the areas of Germany bordering Denmark and Belgium, Germany has used EU regional policy to break down those nation states and to give German minorities there more power to link with Germany. It also gives Brussels more power to undermine Danish and Belgian national governments.

I recall debating this issue on BBC Radio Newcastle. My opponent was a businessman who thought it less important to have people voting in regional government but vital for the North's business "to get things done".

Those are precisely the attitudes of corporatism and fascism so well represented in the European Union - and its regional principle. I pray the people of the North-East will not fall for these obnoxious tricks. - Rodney Atkinson, Stocksfield.

TOWN COUNCILS

IT appears town councils are all the rage at the moment. Bishop Auckland, Stanley, Willington and others seem to want one.

Why? Because a reorganisation in local government is about to take place, and about time too. I am sick and tired of paying district councils large sums of money in the form of council tax and receiving a poor service into the bargain.

However, I do not think a town council is the answer or will solve anything and we will all be paying more for the privilege of having one.

I was told on my doorstep the other night that the town council would look after grass cutting and play areas. They are already being looked after. Why should I pay more for this service, it already gets done?

I want one set of rules, one organisation that is answerable to the public and one person to contact should I have the need. - Steve Cason, Low Willington.

FIREWORKS

THE new fireworks law, which states it is illegal to set them off between 11pm and 7am, is useless.

Who could catch the idiots at that time? Why should we have to put up with them 7am to 11pm for months on end anyway? Already it's bang, bang, bang all hours of the day and night.

A far better law would surely be to restrict the sale of fireworks to around Guy Fawkes time only and have Guy Fawkes Day not Guy Fawkes Months. - R Laycock, Shildon.

SMOKING

IT is now six months since Ireland banned smoking in public places and still there are no plans from the Government to follow suit in Britain.

Latest reports of ministers backing away from proposals to allow local authorities to ban smoking in all workplaces, including bars and pubs, are very worrying indeed.

Whilst the Government wastes time in deciding what measures to take, workers' lives are being claimed by passive smoking. The BMA estimates that at least 1,000 people a year are killed by second-hand smoke - do we have to wait another six months whilst more lives are taken?

Second-hand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer by 20 to 30 per cent and lung cancer is the UK's number one cancer killer. The facts speak for themselves.

We know that the number of people with cancer is increasing and we hope that the Government will listen to our concerns by introducing legislation to ban smoking in public places and help to reduce these increasing numbers. - Peter Cardy, Chief Executive, Macmillan Cancer Relief.

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

I AM very aware and most concerned about the tendency towards over-development of the local area. Yarm, of course, is a very desirable place to live, and developers can make easy money here, but it seems that all of the local established houses are now at risk.

It appears now to be acceptable for larger homes to be demolished so that multiple apartments can be squeezed in, no matter what the effect on local environment or amenities. I know that infill is Government policy, but surely many aspects must be given consideration before plans can be passed.

I am horrified to hear that Stockton Council now takes the view that where developers can take plans to appeal, council policy is now to pass plans for development regardless of local issues.

I talk to many people at work on a daily basis and most regard it as heart breaking. The character and charm of our area is being threatened and taken away simply by those with the money.

Is there nothing we can do? - Derek Campbell, Eaglescliffe.