ANY councillor wanting to play 'master of the universe', backed by officials who want to get on with the job with as little interference from the public as possible, is going to put a ridiculous figure on consulting the residents. But at what price to democracy?

Referendums are frequently held in cantons all over Switzerland on sometimes quite minor issues. Why cannot it happen in our conurbation on such a major issue?

Costs can be minimised if a referendum is held alongside another election. Since it is likely to take a long time to work out a formula for this 'super council', the next local government elections would seem about right to ask the people about this conglomerate council.

If an answer is needed before that, well, we live in a digital age. Surely, it is not beyond the imagining of councillors to come up with a solution to consultation which will cover the vast majority of those who wish to participate.

People in Britain, nationally and locally, are fed up with being taken for granted and ignored. It is time to rebuild democracy from the local level up. We are no longer pleased to leave things to those who think they know best.

Tony Woodcock

Dingle Road, Southbourne