I SEE that this time it is the East Of England Regional Assembly s planning panel (apparently it does not even qualify for sub-committee status) that is the latest quango to block Ely s southern bypass plans. So much for local planning being devolved to t

I SEE that this time it is the East Of England Regional Assembly's planning panel (apparently it does not even qualify for sub-committee status) that is the latest quango to block Ely's southern bypass plans.

So much for local planning being devolved to truly local bodies. It's a nonsense.

What the heck is the East Of England Regional Assembly anyway? I don't recall being asked to vote for its establishment or its members, do you?

Having looked them up on the internet, they seem to be costing us a lot of money to do ... well, not very much that couldn't be done better - and cheaper - locally, actually.

Oh, and their premises appear to have been set up at huge cost. That's a familiar story too.

Honestly, I can't think we are getting the local government we deserve.

BRIAN WATSON, Windmill Walk, Sutton