Over vision for unitary authority
impact on our residents, particularly the most vulnerable.
“Somerset County Council is determined to push the debate on the future forward during this pandemic, and as four districts we are putting our collective efforts to developing an alternative proposal. We always said we would refocus on this when the time was right.
“Somerset does not deserve the cheapest local government. Somerset deserves the best local government.
“Of course, neither the county council or the districts have been invited by the Government to submit a business case yet, and no change can occur until that invitation is received. But we will be ready to work with our communities to set out a plan for reform and positive change which creates a better future for our county.”
MPs in Somerset have shared their views on the business case for One Somerset.
Ian Liddell-Grainger Tory MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset accused the county council of ‘assetgrabbing’.
He said: “Whatever the ‘business case’ may say, the bottom line in all this is that it is nothing more than an attempt at asset-grabbing by a county council on the verge of bankruptcy.
“My constituents have already been saddled with enormous costs for the grossly mishandled merger of Taunton Deane and West Somerset councils, which has still to deliver any of the promised efficiencies and savings. Instead, they have been turned into second-class citizens watching all the investment taking place in Taunton.
“A unitary authority merely offers more of the same, and I am happy to inform David Fothergill they have absolutely no interest in baling out his failing authority.”
Meanwhile, his Conservative colleague Rebecca Pow MP for Taunton Deane said she is ‘open to exploring all possibilities’ to transform local governance in the county.
She said: “It is time to open up the conversation to explore a range of ideas on the future of local government in Somerset, and a unitary authority is one of the options. Councils across Somerset agree that the status quo is not fit for purpose and my mind is open to exploring all possibilities.
“What is most important is delivering high quality services, which offer value for money to the taxpayer, both in Taunton Deane and Somerset as a whole.”
The business case is looking at creating a new unitary authority in Somerset by April 2022.
Meanwhile, the county council is planning to submit its proposal to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government at the end of July.
The county council’s scrutiny for policies and place committee will be holding a virtual meeting next Wednesday to discuss the business case in more detail.
Members are being recommended to support the leader of the council and push forward with plans to create a new unitary council in Somerset.
To read the business case in full visit www.onesomerset.org.uk.