Post by Sherford on Jul 8, 2008 22:34:13 GMT
www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/City-leader-says-Devon-super-council-plan/article-209575-detail/article.html
City leader says no to Devon super council plan
17:29 - 07-July-2008
PLYMOUTH City Council leader Vivien Pengelly has called for people to reject the idea of a unitary 'super council' for Devon.
The Tory councillor wants residents in Plymouth and South West Devon to make representations against the proposal during the Boundary Committee's consultation.
And she called for Plymouth's proposal – to extend its boundaries and take in Tavistock, Ivybridge, Sherford and Wembury – to be reconsidered by the Boundary Committee.
She said the committee's “hands were tied” over considering changes to Plymouth, because of the remit set by the Government.
She said: “It is clearly a nonsense to exclude Plymouth from such an important decision.”
Meanwhile, South West Devon MP Gary Streeter is anxious to learn how such a huge authority, run from Exeter, can represent people in rural towns and villages in his constituency.
The Boundary Committee has proposed not to change the local government boundaries of Plymouth and Torbay, but to create a super unitary authority for the rest of Devon.
However, it will look again at whether there should be a fourth authority, to cover Exeter and Exmouth.
Cllr Pengelly said she was “extremely disappointed” at the super council proposal, which would mean the South Hams and West Devon councils disappearing and councillors representing much larger wards.
She said: “We believe the proposed super unitary authority is wrong for the county, and for the districts and parishes in South West Devon that were included in our proposals.
“It means these areas will be governed by a remote and highly bureaucratic council based in Exeter and will be competing for resources and attention against more than 400 other parishes.
“The proposals we put forward would have given communities in South West Devon a greater say in the delivery of services.”
Mr Streeter stressed that “most people in rural area were against” the expanded Plymouth idea, but nevertheless wanted more details of how a super council run from Exeter would ensure “local communities' voices are still heard”.
“It's making government more remote,” he said.
South Hams and West Devon District Councils were also disappointed.
They had called for a unitary authority which encompasses both districts, and part of Dartmoor.
Both authorities fear the proposed system will result in ward sizes increasing from about 2,500 people to more than 8,000.
West Devon Borough Council leader Cllr James McInnes said an Exeter-run authority could be “too big and unwieldy”.
He doubted it would bring council tax savings for voters, saying only central government would benefit.
“Our task is to make sure the proposals are thoroughly researched,” he said.
Cllr John Tucker, leader of South Hams District Council, said it was “essential” people have their say on the proposals.
He said: “We have got to work through the issues and come out with a way forward”.
Cllr Tucker is concerned jobs could be lost, and said 400 posts have gone as Cornwall moves to a unitary system.
“It's the top tier of management that will be reduced,” he predicted.
South Hams District Councillor Keith Baldry added: “It's too early to say how many jobs would go, but people may have to relocate.”
Max Caller, Boundary Committee chairman, said: “These proposals have the potential to offer people in Devon stronger local government capable of providing better and more efficient services.
“Your responses to the draft proposal will inform the advice we give (the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) so tell us what you think. More importantly, tell us why you think that.”
The consultation period runs until September 26. The Boundary Committee will then consider responses before making recommendations to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by December 31.
The Government is expected to announce its decision by next February .
Responses to the draft proposal can be made by filling in a form at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk or writing to: Review Manager, (Devon Review), the Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.
City leader says no to Devon super council plan
17:29 - 07-July-2008
PLYMOUTH City Council leader Vivien Pengelly has called for people to reject the idea of a unitary 'super council' for Devon.
The Tory councillor wants residents in Plymouth and South West Devon to make representations against the proposal during the Boundary Committee's consultation.
And she called for Plymouth's proposal – to extend its boundaries and take in Tavistock, Ivybridge, Sherford and Wembury – to be reconsidered by the Boundary Committee.
She said the committee's “hands were tied” over considering changes to Plymouth, because of the remit set by the Government.
She said: “It is clearly a nonsense to exclude Plymouth from such an important decision.”
Meanwhile, South West Devon MP Gary Streeter is anxious to learn how such a huge authority, run from Exeter, can represent people in rural towns and villages in his constituency.
The Boundary Committee has proposed not to change the local government boundaries of Plymouth and Torbay, but to create a super unitary authority for the rest of Devon.
However, it will look again at whether there should be a fourth authority, to cover Exeter and Exmouth.
Cllr Pengelly said she was “extremely disappointed” at the super council proposal, which would mean the South Hams and West Devon councils disappearing and councillors representing much larger wards.
She said: “We believe the proposed super unitary authority is wrong for the county, and for the districts and parishes in South West Devon that were included in our proposals.
“It means these areas will be governed by a remote and highly bureaucratic council based in Exeter and will be competing for resources and attention against more than 400 other parishes.
“The proposals we put forward would have given communities in South West Devon a greater say in the delivery of services.”
Mr Streeter stressed that “most people in rural area were against” the expanded Plymouth idea, but nevertheless wanted more details of how a super council run from Exeter would ensure “local communities' voices are still heard”.
“It's making government more remote,” he said.
South Hams and West Devon District Councils were also disappointed.
They had called for a unitary authority which encompasses both districts, and part of Dartmoor.
Both authorities fear the proposed system will result in ward sizes increasing from about 2,500 people to more than 8,000.
West Devon Borough Council leader Cllr James McInnes said an Exeter-run authority could be “too big and unwieldy”.
He doubted it would bring council tax savings for voters, saying only central government would benefit.
“Our task is to make sure the proposals are thoroughly researched,” he said.
Cllr John Tucker, leader of South Hams District Council, said it was “essential” people have their say on the proposals.
He said: “We have got to work through the issues and come out with a way forward”.
Cllr Tucker is concerned jobs could be lost, and said 400 posts have gone as Cornwall moves to a unitary system.
“It's the top tier of management that will be reduced,” he predicted.
South Hams District Councillor Keith Baldry added: “It's too early to say how many jobs would go, but people may have to relocate.”
Max Caller, Boundary Committee chairman, said: “These proposals have the potential to offer people in Devon stronger local government capable of providing better and more efficient services.
“Your responses to the draft proposal will inform the advice we give (the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) so tell us what you think. More importantly, tell us why you think that.”
The consultation period runs until September 26. The Boundary Committee will then consider responses before making recommendations to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by December 31.
The Government is expected to announce its decision by next February .
Responses to the draft proposal can be made by filling in a form at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk or writing to: Review Manager, (Devon Review), the Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.