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For too long, authorities have been asked to absorb great and beautiful new ideas that do not look expensive but which turn out to cost a lot of money.
I am sympathetic to both views. The state opening of the new parliamentary year at Westminster is not for some weeks yet, so we do not have to arrive at a conclusion before then.
Our concern is about where it will stop. If we need new hangers on the bridge in a few years' time, because of the huge trucks allowed by European regulations, who will pay for them?
Although those people need significant monitoring, we cannot put a price on the lives of our children. Treatment programmes and new initiatives have to be considered.
Having the general equality standard takes the benchmark a step further. The new duty of best value requires equalities to be mainstreamed within performance management structures.
We all support the principle of public consultation, but it is as important to consult owners and occupiers of land about new developments. Landowners have a right to be properly consulted too.