Letter: County and district councils keep each other in check

Sir: Single-tier local government may well be stronger and more efficient, but the London experience demonstrates that it is likely to be more confusing and less accountable than a two-tier system unless the unitary authorities are sub- regional in scale.

The creation of geographically small unitary authorities in London has resulted in a confusing and unelected plethora of ad hoc and joint bodies to administer many of the functions that were formerly the responsibility of the directly elected sub-regional authority, and in the transfer of its sub- regional planning and transport responsibilities to central government departments.

Yours faithfully,

JOHN CUNDILL

London, SW15

22 April