h2g2bob @h2g2bob@mastodon.dbatley.com

Changes to local government in #Essex proposed: squish together the 14 district councils (who handle planning applications, bins, etc) into 5 new councils of about 300k population each. Then abolish Essex council (adult social care, roads, etc) and give the powers to the new councils.

It generally makes sense. Local plans (town planning) get done on a larger area. And no normal people understood who does what in the 2-level (Essex and District) councils anyway.

https://yoursay.southend.gov.uk/yoursayfutureofessex

Finished reading Ecotopia by Ernest Callenbach which lays out a #green future which is still radical 50 years after publication. There are a lot of ideas in this book – sustainability, accountability and work-life balance – which are equally relevant today. #books