THE increasing power of White-hall over local authorities was condemned by senior council officers in the Gazette 25 years ago.

Len Martin, Malvern Hills District Council's chief executive, told readers: "What people don't realise is the right to make decisions at local level is being taken away throughout the country.

"We are getting directions and decisions imposed on us right down the line."

Council solicitor Paul Graham said new legislation was "unclear and at times unintelligible".

He had found a loophole in a new law about selling council houses, which meant council could put houses up for sale but not gardens.

"Government legislation has led to increased work for local authorities. At the same time we are being directed to make cuts in our capacity to deal with it. We are stretched both ways," he said.