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A new Conservative Government could scupper plans for the latest round of new unitaries, following the latest delay to the process. Earlier this week, communities secretary, Hazel Blears, announced Boundary Committee proposals for new unitaries in Devon, Norfolk and Suffolk would be delayed until 15 July. Under the latest timetable, elections for the new shadow councils will not take place until May 2010 at the very earliest, which could clash with a general election. A Conservative spokesman this week confirmed the party was still against the proposals, and if the process was not too far advanced, his party would ‘be able to halt the expensive and unnecessary Devon/Norfolk/Suffolk restructuring'. The Boundary Committee claims the delay will ‘allow for significant further consultation'. The councils involved have hit out at the delays. Ipswich chief executive, James Hehir, told LocalGov.co.uk's sister title, The MJ, that his council had already faced three years of uncertainty. This will put us in limbo for at least another five months. ‘We have reached a stage where we couldn't consult any more if we tried.' He said the council was now unable to appoint any new staff, due to the uncertainty. Norwich City chief executive, Laura McGillivray, said the delay was ‘frustrating' and perpetuated uncertainty. However, the move has been supported by the alliance of three districts in Suffolk. Leaders of Waveney, Forest Heath and St Edmundsbury issued a joint statement claiming the committee should use this time to listen to the people of Suffolk. East Devon DC is appealing against a High Court ruling which found it had acted in ‘haste' in challenging a Boundary Committee recommendation in support of a Devon unitary council. The appeal hearing is not scheduled until later this month. Councillors in Northumberland received a letter from the local government minister warning them not to hamper the creation of the new unitary council in the region. In a strongly worded missive, John Healey, said he was concerned about ‘indications' that some councillors appeared to be ‘impeding the creation' of the new council.' He also drew attention to an apparent overspend of the district councils, for which the implications would be ‘very serious indeed', if restructuring was not occurring.

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WHITEHALL

Tories handed chance to scrap new unitaries

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