Your Leader Comment ("Trading standards problem raises issues with councils", September 30) correctly notes that the 1996 John Major reorganisation was driven by ideological reasons. Thus in many respects focusing on trading standards, while in the news, is missing the point. Since 1996 local government has increasingly become local administration because of increasing centralisation of budget control especially since council tax has been frozen. I agree that a new regional structure is called for as advocated at the end of your leader but this applies to all services not just trading standards.
After last year's referendum I had hoped the government would turn its attention to badly needed local government reorganisation. Thirty two local authorities with 32 departmental silos cannot but be inefficient and expensive to operate. That local government continues to function is a tribute to the councillors, staff and momentum from better days.
It is said that there is no appetite for another reorganisation and that it will be a waste of money. Again this is missing the point. As the trading standards story highlights, local government is creaking. Can the nation afford to leave it as it is?
This is an election year. It would be unrealistic to have a reorganisation debate therefore. However, it provides an ideal opportunity to set up a commission to review local government. We need proposals fit for the 21st century. Let's face it, we don't want another 'ideological' reorganisation a la the Major Government.
Perhaps, more importantly, we don't need a second referendum to dominate political debate in the media. We need effective local government whoever is in power. As things stand Scotland is moving towards over centralised government run from Edinburgh not able to reflect the nation's diversity. Failing to address reorganisation will be a big mistake.
John Walls,
50 Weymouth Drive,
Glasgow.
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