Member

Geography is important. In rural and low-population density areas, strategic authorities may need to cover large physical geographies. Here, decision-making becomes remote. Smaller communities struggle to influence outcomes. Large authorities can contain starkly different demographic pressures. Some communities may face high unemployment, poor housing or low incomes, while others struggle primarily with isolation, access to services and an aging population. These different forms of deprivation can and will conflict and compete for limited resources. When smaller towns and villages are absorbed into large authorities, decision-making and investment tend to gravitate towards the dominant urban centre, as the noble Baroness, Lady Scott, has said in this Committee.