THERE is no doubt that local government reform is going to be on the Government’s agenda in the very near future.

I feel there is a need for real change, from the demands and expectations from taxpayers who want to see a clearly defined structure of local government that can best provide first class services at realistic costs.

The years of self-serving dinosaur administrations are over and they must be replaced by modern and effective government.

Councils must be business-like in their approach, creating the culture and clear recognition that it is residents’ monies that enable them to function, and that every pound must be spent carefully, wisely, appropriately and effectively.

Change in local government must come about not for the convenience or benefit of existing structures, or councillors who want to retain the status quo by simply moving from one football pitch onto another with the same management and team but with a different name.

I find it interesting therefore to note that Cumbria County Council, under the leadership of Stewart Young, is pushing hard for a change to a unitary authority for Cumbria.

This is a road that Cumbria County Council has travelled before, but has usually floundered in the portholes of ill-conceived thinking.

It is worthy of note that Councillor Young quotes the potential savings of £28m if Cumbria became a unitary authority.

He should understand that, following austerity cuts, district councils in Cumbria have saved £58m since 2015!

A couple of years ago, the Government offered a devolution deal to Cumbria that would have seen the leaders of the six district councils and the county form a combined authority under the leadership of an Elected Mayor for Cumbria.

That Elected Mayor would be visible and accountable for the decisions that were made and he or she would be clearly identifiable by the residents of Cumbria.

I along, with the leader of Eden Council, supported this initiative but we were unfortunately out-voted by the remaining five district leaders.

There is no doubt in my mind that Cumbria needs effective local government and that residents of Cumbria need to be fully engaged in that process through consultation and communication, but without the confrontation by having imposition which, in my view, would be clearly undemocratic and probably return us to the structures that have let us down in the past.

I was pleased to be able to explain my views on a recent Sunday Politics show.

It is also important that politicians hear residents’ views, and I would sincerely welcome and value your feedback, comments and opinions to me on this very important subject.