IT is now just a month from the May local elections.

There will be elections in Ludlow and south Shropshire for the new Shropshire Council and in Tenbury and the Teme Valley for Worcestershire County Council.

In addition to this there will also be elections for some local councils including Ludlow Town Council or, at least, that is the theory although often seats are filled by co-option.

We live in interesting times and it has perhaps never been harder to call the outcome of the elections. Things are, to say the least, extremely volatile as people look to find ways to vent their anger at the political class.

One thing about which we can be almost certain is that the turnout at the local elections will be low.

This is nothing new and there are many reasons why, in addition to the general disillusionment about politics at all levels.

It is a pity because the decisions made by local councils have a huge impact upon our lives.

There are many examples of this but perhaps the most obvious and most recent is the decision of the southern area planners at Shropshire Council to allow the new supermarket and petrol station at Rocks Green.

In the opinion of some people it will be a good thing while others fear the impact on the existing town centre shops will be very damaging.

However, what everyone can agree is that, for better or for worse, it is an important decision.

There are so many ways in which local councils shape our lives and yet most people seem to pay little regard for the work that is done.

Part of the problem is that, for all the talk about putting power and decision-making at the grass roots, the reality is that for the most part power is more centralised that ever.

In some cases, such as transport and strategic business issues, there is a case for a regional overview but, by and large, most people know what is best for the communities in which they live.

Local Government is so dependent upon Whitehall for funding which is, after all, the biggest single factor in determining what can and cannot be done.

The ability of local councils to raise council tax is limited to two per cent without a referendum although the very grass roots level, town and parish councils, are excluded from this constraint.

There is an argument that this cap should be withdrawn and councils allowed to do what they think is right for their communities, providing that there is accountability through the ballot box.

Getting people to stand as councillors is also a challenge. At town and parish level it is voluntary, although there is a payment element at unitary, county and district level.

Would paying councillors a reasonable salary commensurate with the workload increase the number of candidates and, if it did, would it attract the right kind of people for the right reasons?

Then there is the voting system – first past the post as with national parliamentary elections – a process in which the outcome as reflected in the council chamber will not reflect the overall wishes of the electorate.

Another issue is how we vote. It may be quaint but, in the age of the internet and mobile phone app, surely there must be alternative to having to walk to the village hall or school to cast a ballot.

So many issues but it is in the interest of all of us that people bother to vote, see the point in voting and that doing so is made as easy and convenient as it can be.