Districts unite against Northumberland County Council

News Post Leader 11 December 2006
Districts unite against county

DISTRICT councils are joining forces to see Northumberland County Council abolished in favour of two new authorities.

Authorities in Wansbeck and Blyth Valley are working in partnership with Tynedale, Alnwick, Berwick and Castle Morpeth in a bid to create two unitary councils.In a submission to the government, the partnership calls for one council for the rural areas and a separate one for the urban areas – Rural Northumberland and South East Northumberland.Each would focus on specific issues in its distinct areas as well as being financially sustainable and creating significant savings for council tax payers.

Leader of Blyth Valley, Coun Dave Stephens said: "The option that we are all supporting is the one that Northumberland residents voted heavily in favour of in the referendum of 2004."I want local government to cost less, be excellent across the county and have a real and meaningful relationship with the people we serve."

But county council chiefs say splitting up the communities by forming two separate authorities would cause irreparable damage and cause services such as schools and social services to be delivered less efficiently.County council leader, Coun Bill Brooks, said: "I don't believe our communities would be best served by being split up, and I have yet to see an argument which stands up to scrutiny that convinces me otherwise."From an economical perspective there are services which wouldn't be delivered as efficiently on a smaller scale, such as schools and social services."By having more than one council you would still get taxpayers paying for the expense and duplication of running two authorities, rather than more money going into frontline services."Officers at County Hall are looking into the option of one single council for Northumberland, taking on the responsibilities of the district councils.Coun Brooks said: "This is not about self preservation, this is about what is best for our communities, it is about replacing all district and county councils with something brand new, fit for purpose and efficient."I believe that, despite best efforts, the current structure of local government in Northumberland doesn't work, we know it is confusing, expensive and bureaucratic.

"Tynedale Council leader, Coun John Herron, said: "Northumberland County Council cannot be trusted to deliver its current services, never mind taking onboard additional services."The fact that the county council has chosen to completely ignore the vote of its residents from only two years ago speaks volumes."It is not a council that is interested in consulting or listening to residents in key decisions."

The proposals are being submitted in response to the Government's White Paper on Local Government.Coun Herron said: "The fact that six different councils with different political compositions can form such a strong alliance is testament to the passion that we all have for the people of Northumberland."
11 December 2006