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Councils in Bedfordshire look set for more reorganisation chaos, after John Healey invited them to submit fresh plans for unitary status. The local government minister has written to Bedfordshire CC, Mid-Bedfordshire DC and South Bedfordshire DC, and asked them to draw up unitary plans after the Government's ‘minded' decision to turn Bedford BC into a single tier council. ‘The remaining area of Bedfordshire needs unitary local government to complement any unitary Bedford Council,' said Mr Healey. ‘And through this invitation, we will ensure that the whole of Bedfordshire benefits from this opportunity.' The three councils now have until 17 December to submit their plans. Mr Healey's announcement was welcomed by both South and Mid Bedfordshire district councils, which intend to submit plans for a second unitary authority covering the rest of the county. But Bedfordshire CC leader, Madeline Russell, said: ‘Bedfordshire CC's position remains firm. Only a county-wide unitary for Bedfordshire will provide the service improvements and value for money this whole process was designed to deliver.' A spokesman for Bedford BC welcomed the announcement and said it would work with South and Mid Bedfordshire councils. He called on the county council to withdraw its judicial review. The MJ has seen documents which claim that the proposed east Cheshire unitary authority would be subsidised by the west Cheshire authority to the tune of £6m a year. But Ellesmere Port and Neston BC leader, Justin Madders, said the figures were inaccurate and unrealistic. ‘These figures being bandied around about 2007/8 are based on assumptions, rather than facts,' he said. Council leaders from Congleton BC, Shrewsbury and Atcham BC, West Wiltshire DC and Durham City Council are due to lobby MPs in Westminster today(Wednesday) against reorganisation.

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WHITEHALL

Rest of Bedfordshire invited to submit bid for unitary

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