Taken from Northumberland Gazette

By COUN ROGER STYRING
Coun Roger Styring, the new leader of Alnwick District Council puts the case for Option 2 (two unitary authorities for Northumberland) in the debate over possible local government reorganisation.
RURAL Northumberland and South East Northumberland have very diverse communities and different needs and priorities.We all know that in the rural part of the county, affordable housing, the condition of the roads and footpaths and access to services and facilities are some of our main concerns.Having two new, strong all-purpose councils – one covering rural Northumberland and the other covering the more urban south east of the county will enable us to concentrate on our own priorities, needs and challenges.This will also prevent the tensions in resources and funding between the rural and urban parts of Northumberland which have always led to compromise. We have had enough of the 'one-size – fits all' approach.If the seven current councils are restructured into two, the new councils will each have a leader, elected by residents. This is the strongest leadership model in contrast to the alternative proposed by Northumberland County Council – a leader chosen by a political group of fellow councillors.It is important to have a council with a strong voice and financial muscle. Under our proposals, Northumberland would have two strong, cost-effective councils that are able to speak up and fight for the challenges ahead.The Rural Northumberland Council will have an executive, appointed on merit by the leader, each person being responsible for both a priority issue and a geographical area. This will ensure that at the top table of the authority, every part of the new council area will have representation and
local accountability, in contrast to the present set up at the county council in which the rural part of the county is hardly represented on the executive.We have proposed a smaller number of councillors than at present, however they will be much more visible and have a much higher profile as leaders, supporting their communities.Our proposals for bringing decision making closer to communities will be innovative and forward thinking. The establishment of 14 community boards based on different communities within rural Northumberland, with real decision-making powers, budgetary responsibilities and the ability to hold the council to account, will be significant. They will build upon our existing strong networks of local development trusts and town and parish councils.In such a large area it is most important that our proposals are shaped around the requirements of local people.
Last Updated: 27 May 2007