Devolution will just increase local government corruption

[Notkatie]

Hi I live in a town where it’s an open secret that a significant (millions) was unaccounted for in the local council a few years back, it was reported. So no money for service but bills went up anyway. The same councillors and staff are oddly still around with various relatives, in senior positions I of which was investigated for planning backhanders. I think devolution is dangerous for local communities, everyone is afraid of these people

I live in a town where at night local goblins come out of the woods and trample the flowers in our local park and sometimes break the swings. This is also not being reported.

WAKE UP PEOPLE!

Goblins are easy, wait til you get man-eating Pixies.

No one is afraid of these people. But corruption is an issue in any large organisation, be it civil or public sector. So rigorous checks need to be in place.

We've tried devolution, Avon County Council was hated. As was Humberside. So he needs to take a careful approach.

I am personally in two minds. Blanked central control means that things like housing targets make no allowance for local issues. But more Councils equal more bureaucracy.

Im going to have to wait till there's more info to make up my mind

@NotAnotherScarf yes agree it’s the details that important but I’m shocked by what the council have got away with that’s just been swept under the carpet and bailed out. The level of corruption is very concerning, yes people are afraid of further whistleblowing as only a slapped hand and everyone just carries on

I have to say that when I started working with local government (I’m a civil servant) I was pretty shocked at the quality of local councillors (not in a good way). I found it hard to believe we let some of the ones I met lead important local services such as adult social care.

I guess the solution is a stronger local democracy with the public holding them more closely to account but that’s not easy to deliver either. For that reason I don’t really agree that more devolution is right everywhere.

You just have to google 'former councillor convicted' - pages of results.

'Devolution will just increase local government corruption'

That's exactly what my husband said when shouting at the news on Radio 4 this morning.

I agree. I have worked for two local authorities. One was run by well meaning people who didn't really have the skills, and the other was rotten to the core with money being spent on the most ridiculous vanity projects and senjor jobs reserved for friends of the mayor, who surrounded himself with sycophants allies to the point that he was untouchable.

@Beamsss yes in our area the ones in local power are “untouchable”. They will also bring out the race card at every opportunity so another reason they get away with taking millions and promoting friends and relatives to posts to “look the other way”

We've had so much more layers of politicians in recent years from mayors to more Welsh Assembly members etc.

The result?

We're spending a helluva lot more on bureaucracy.

And are getting even less in return.

I want less inflation not more politicians please.

In addition to the two councils I've worked for, my own local councillors, across all parties are engaging in an Facebook war amongst themsleves which has been going on for at least 2 years. The last thing they need is more power.

Look how widespread and nothing changes @scoffingbiscuits Scoffingbiscuits · 28/09/2025 13:20
A few days ago, the SNP leader of Perth and Kinross Council was charged with embezzlement over a period of 8 years. His response was to resign from the SNP and from his position as leader of the council, but to remain on the council as an independent. He resigned stating only "personal reasons", so his fellow SNP councillors responded by announcing what a great job he'd done, how much he'd be missed, and how they'd try to continue their mutual mission. A couple of hours later, everyone found out that he'd resigned because of criminal charges. I wonder how long he'll continue on the council until trial. Years?

You are Max and you are King of the Wild Things and I claim my £5