Title

Communities secretary, Eric Pickles, will use legislation to axe ‘wasteful and unnecessary' unitary reorganisation. The Queen's Speech confirmed the new government would scrap new councils in Exeter and Norwich. Devon CC will claim victory as the CLG highlighted how ‘the cost of creating a unitary council in Exeter would add more than £200 to local council tax bills'. It also voids the High Court case brought by Devon and other councils, which was delayed until after the general election. But city leaders in Norwich and Exeter slated the Government's plans, claiming they would undermine local choice. Opponents of reorganisation welcomed the promise of speedy action to scrap the new unitaries, even though work on implementation teams is already under way, and at an advanced stage. The reorganisations were only given their final go ahead by Parliament in March, but now face being scrapped before the summer recess this July, with legislation to repeal the unitaries being given priority in the Queen's Speech. Norwich leader, Steve Morphew, said: ‘The leaders of three of the political groups on Norwich are united in their support for a new unitary for Norwich, and a belief that one authority providing all key services in the city is the best way forward. ‘They do not understand how this fits with the Government's stated ambitions to "give communities more power" and "transfer power from central to local government", and will be making their protests known.' But Norfolk CC leader, Cllr Daniel Cox, said: ‘This is the news Norfolk has been waiting for. ‘It effectively signals the end of the former Labour Government's expensive and incomplete plans for a unitary Norwich council. It is high time the uncertainty surrounding this issue is ended, once and for all.'

Title

WHITEHALL

Pickles will use laws to axe 'wasteful' unitaries

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING