Title

The Government is now facing a second legal challenge over its plans to create a number of new unitary authorities. Congleton BC announced last week it was now seeking a judicial review over the process on the grounds that secretary of state, Ruth Kelly, had acted outside her powers. ‘We appear to have been asked to choose between one unitary council or two councils across Cheshire,' said Congleton BC leader, Roland Domieo. ‘We do not accept these terms and believe that the financial case has not been made for these two options, particularly with no government funding, and there is no broad support for either option. ‘It would be the end of local government as we know it, with the word "local" disappearing.' A DCLG spokesman said: ‘We have received pre-action letters from Congleton BC and we are considering our response.' Congleton BC is the second council to legally challenge the unitary process. Shrewsbury and Atcham BC declared a similar move in April. ‘We are not surprised other councils are challenging the legality of the consultation process,' said Shrewsbury and Atcham BC chief executive, Robin Hooper. ‘Locally, the two authorities which supported the county council's unitary bid have recently undergone a change of political leadership and are reviewing their position. It is clear that in Shropshire, there is now less support for a unitary.' The new Tory administration at South Shropshire DC voted to drop its support for the county council's unitary bid last week, in favour of improved two-tier working. North Shropshire DC, which is holding its first full council meeting this week, may also review its position.

Title

WHITEHALL

New challenge to unitary plans

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING