Paul Shevlin
This moment is bittersweet
In his last District View column for The MJ, Paul Shevlin reflects on what working in local authorities for the last five decades has taught him.
We need to make homes greener
Renters have little or no control over the energy efficiency of the homes they live in, yet are the ones bearing the cost. The Government needs to support landlords to implement crucial changes, says Paul Shevlin.
Tackling the crises from the bottom up
The current cost of living crisis may be a national government issue but there is a lot that district councils can do to
We must have a return to hybrid council meetings
Paul Shevlin says the public interest in virtual meetings is one positive benefit to come out of the pandemic – some would say a legacy of 2020. 'We know it works...let’s not throw it away.'
Every vote counted in North Yorkshire
Paul Shevlin says drawing lots is a rare occurrence and one that put the newly-formed North Yorkshire Council elections under the national spotlight and brought a remarkable end to his career as a deputy returning officer.
Shared effort can create beautiful outcomes
In North Yorkshire, communities stand in solidarity with Ukrainians as a symbol of hope that even in darkness, light will prevail, says Paul Shevlin.
Democracy needs to have value
Many of those who are elected to public office seem to be increasingly remote from the people they serve, says Paul Shevlin. 'If democracy is to have any value, members of the public need to feel that their vote is worthwhile.'
Taking the lead locally on the climate emergency
A project launched last year provides a significant piece of Craven DC's zero carbon by 2030 jigsaw, says Paul Shevlin, and the most impactful thing the council could do was to take steps to cut the carbon footprint of its seven key premises.
The art of preventing a brain drain
Paul Shevlin suggests arts and culture have a part to play in attracting young residents to come to rural areas
It will be hard for many to see the value of spending millions on introducing voter ID
The Government wants to introduce a requirement for photo ID. This will be even more difficult to ‘sell’ to the public than mixed-ID for voters and will need even more resources, says Paul Shevlin.
Photo ID for elections will be even more difficult to 'sell' to the public
The Government now wants to introduce a requirement for photo ID for elections. Paul Shevlin says this will be even more difficult to ‘sell’ to the public than mixed-ID and will need even more resources.
Districts need support to keep leisure centres open
If the Government is really serious about health and wellbeing, then district councils must have financial support from central Government to keep their leisure centres open and thriving, argues Paul Shevlin.
Why the rush to create unitary authorities?
Paul Shevlin says councils were 'dangled the carrot of devolution, but that now appears to have been an illusion, with no sign of any White Paper forthcoming, and no sign of the billions of pounds of investment which was suggested'.
