1 agree with the tenor of your article 'Action Needed - Not Just Words' (Red Weekly, 18 March). But may I suggest a slight amendment? Talking about the erect or economies to local government expenditure, you say that a major problem is caused by 'a black-out of information about the cuts'. You raise the demand for the opening of the books of local authorities for inspection.
Well, they are open for inspection. Under Section 24 of the Local Government Act, 1933, the Clerk to the Council is lecailv ooldea to piace notices in local newspapers. This informs the general public that 14 days hence the annual audit will take place. Then the accounts of all the various committees are open to scrutiny. For the payment of a nominal fee - ten pence, I think - ratepayers can inspect them, making any notes they want.
Clearly, this is not the complete answer for opponents of the cuts. What we require is cav To-dav knowedce of proposed economies, not merely statements or ine situation annually. Nevertheless, it can be a help. When informaTon cleanec trom ine audit is adopo to that obtained from the monthly minutes of the concil and its committee meetings, a fairly good indication of policy trends can be acquired.
By law, local authorities are supposed to possess oniv mose powers entrusted to them by Act of Parliament. If they exceed those power, then they are said to have done something that is ultra vires (outside their powers). Whoever was responsible for the decision is curred out of their own pocket. Each year ratepayers have the opportunity of making a formal objection to the district auditor, bringing to his notice any financial malpractice of the concil.
l once used this riaht. I was stacaered -to sce une wav it inrew ine cerk to ine counci into contusion and panic. hat a formal objection had been made to the district auditor, particularly as it related to his own conduct, he treated as a very grave matter indeed.
Of course, my objection was not upheld. Nevertheless, in my opinion, it was worthwhile. At the present time, it seems quite justifiable to use every means, including those conveniently provided by Act of Parliament, to harass those who are carrying out te cuts in public expenalture.
To end this letter with a personal confession: I find fighting the class Struggle is made just that little bit more satisfying when it is combined with tweaking the bottoms of those in authority! - RAY CHALLINOR, Whitley Bay.