Around 200 staff and councillors from Kennet DC marched last week in protest against Wiltshire CC's bid for unitary status. The marchers chanted, ‘Keep it local, keep Kennet' as they went from the council offices in Devizes, through the marketplace and on to a unitary roadshow in the town centre. A plea by Wiltshire CC leader, Jane Scott, for a ‘fair and honest debate' over the county's unitary bid has been welcomed by West Wiltshire DC. ‘If the county council wants a fair debate, then let's have one,' said district councillor, Graham Payne. The Government has now submitted its response to Shrewsbury and Atcham BC's legal bid to stop the entire unitary process. A High Court decision is expected shortly, but a council spokesman said: ‘There are no surprises for us in the secretary of state's response to our challenge.' Norwich City Council leader, Cllr Steve Morphew, said he was taking legal advice over a unitary leaflet which was sent out by Norfolk CC the week before the local elections. Cllr Morphew said: ‘Whether or not the piece of literature did make a difference, we have to ask why was it sent out when it was, knowing full well that we could not respond because of purdah.' Norfolk CC leader, Daniel Cox, said: ‘The fact that there has been an election in the Norwich City Council area does not stop discussion and debate on this vitally-important proposal, which will affect every person living in Norfolk for years to come.' Plans to hold a referendum on local government reorganisation in Durham have been dismissed as a ‘costly distraction' by county council leader, Albert Nugent.
