Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
‘It will be less democratic’
The Lib Dem opposition in Canterbury is vehemently opposed to the merger, saying it “flies in the face of localism”.
It claims the super council will be less democratically accountable and will leave people in the district heavily disadvantaged.
“Local councils should represent local people,” said Lib Dem group leader Michael Dixey.
“Do we want our council offices in Dover or Thanet? Do we want Folkestone councillors deciding planning applications in Whitstable or Margate councillors deciding licensing hours in Canterbury?
“An east Kent district council flies in the face of localism.
“Your local councillor will not be able to deal with local issues or properly represent local people.
“Residents are to be given no say in this decision. At the very least it should be decided by a local referendum.”
Cllr Dixey also questions the motives behind the move, claiming local councils are being forced to do “Westminster’s dirty work”.
“The Conservative government has starved local government of money,” he said.
“They want to control everything from Westminster. They would love to reorganise local government but know it would be catastrophically controversial. This is why local councils are being forced to reorganise themselves. Of course, if we get it wrong Westminster will blame us. We are being forced to do Westminster’s dirty work but what’s being proposed here looks like an unholy alliance between Conservative and Ukip councils.”
He also fears Canterbury - as the wealthiest of the four councils - will be forced to “prop up” the finances of the other three.
“At a time of extreme hardship that is something we cannot afford to do,” he said.
“The planned merger shows huge savings but we all know that a reorganisation on paper rarely delivers the savings promised or the same level of service. Much more information is needed on this before a rational decision can be made. In any event, this should be finally decided by local people rather than a small group of local councillors.”