YOUR correspondent Gordon Cann says that while combining Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in a single unitary authority may have merit in terms of costs, it lacks such merit in terms of public involvement and accountability.

To function efficiently and be properly accountable, our primary unit of local government must be of a size that properly reflects and addresses the needs of the entire urban community.

It is hard to believe that the status quo is adequate to the challenges of this 21st century despite the efforts of people in high places to make it seem so.

The Government has thrown down a challenge to Bournemouth to bid for a “City Deal” and acquire new powers to boost local growth.

Cities Minister Greg Clark declares: “City Deals put Bournemouth in the driving seat... if it’s in Bournemouth’s interest and the national interest, we’ll strike a deal and make it happen.”

A deadline of January 15 has been set for Bournemouth “to work across its functional economic area to put forward proposals by January 15 2013.”

What better proposal can there be than to create a fully functioning single authority across the conurbation which will speak-up for all its citizens, attract inward investment to tackle unemployment and raise the profile of our great community to the outside world?

JOHN PROBERT, Sherwood Avenue, Poole