Regional needs

The proposals a couple of years ago for an elected regional assembly were inadequate and probably deserved to be thrown out, but the basic point is still there. We do not want unelected people dictating to us and frustrating our attempts to regenerate the area.

The Government proposals for local government restructuring do nothing to reduce this "democratic deficit" and it is time that we sorted this unfinished business of devolution out.

The North-East desperately needs more creative industries to keep our bright young people in the area and I simply cannot understand why non-elected people are trying to stop the proposals for a film studio at Seaham. I got hold of the 200-page document and found that "community participation" rated less than a page. I think that probably explains it all. I hope the Government will take note.

David Taylor-Gooby, Peterlee, Co Durham.

JAMES Ramsbotham is correct when he claims the continued fragmentation of local government cannot be allowed if the County Durham sub region is not to be the poor relation sandwiched between Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley (Business Echo, Aug 7).

To also claim the county area as a unitary authority is in an "ideal place to gain strength" is to completely underestimate the impact the unchanged Regional Spatial Strategy will have on the area.

In Tony Kearney's Shaping the Future campaign report (Echo, also Aug 7), Councillor Alan Cox said that the strategy, in its current form, would have severe economic and social implications for County Durham.

Taken together with the continued erosion of local government's ability to provide a reasonable standard of service against a background of cuts, which are usually called savings, it is difficult not to see more trouble ahead.

The threat is not against Tyne and Wear or even Tees Valley, where most of the available resource will be placed, but where we call home.

Tom Toward, West Auckland, Co Durham