Readers respond to Polly Toynbee’s article on the government’s plans to overhaul local government Polly Toynbee is correct to point out the foolishness of a massive local government reorganisation, given other priorities ( Is No 10 seeking its own destruction? Why else would it botch its council plans and hand a victory to Farage?, 18 February ). What she does not mention is that this reorganisation will lead to a large increase in inequality. The district councils that are being abolished are rising from the ashes as town and parish councils and, unlike other councils, they can set their own precept and cannot be capped. The largest town councils have budgets of more than £5m and more than 124 parish councils have budgets of over £1m. These councils tend to be in the wealthier suburban and rural areas, and can protect their residents from austerity, unlike residents of large, disadvantaged urban areas. Continue reading...