New unitary must not be Norfolk County Council 'reincarnated' (Norfolk County Council Liberal Democrats)

Norfolk County Council Liberal Democrats <info@norfolkcclibdems.org.uk>

New unitary must not be Norfolk County Council 'reincarnated'

July 7, 2008 12:00 AM

Norfolk map Commenting on the announcement today that Norfolk's eight existing councils could be abolished in favour of a new super unitary, which also covers Lowestoft, leader of the Liberal Democrats at Norfolk County Council, Paul Morse, said:

"The proposals from the Boundary Committee are a mixed blessing for the people of Norfolk. Liberal Democrats believe in unitary local government and we believe that, in general terms, the proposition to unify local government in Norfolk should bring benefits such as economies of scale and clarity for local people about who runs what.

"This is a huge opportunity but my concern about the proposal on the table is that the last time a similar review was undertaken in 1994 the County Council's survival was secured largely on the basis of fine promises that it would be working more closely with other local authorities. I cannot see that those promises were ever adequately fulfilled and I fear that we could see history repeat itself here.

"We will need to see solid measures taken to ensure that pledges to devolve to the local level are genuinely enacted. This needs to be a brand new council and not Norfolk County Council reincarnated, with its current pattern of central command and control.

"We have the opportunity here to totally revolutionise local government in Norfolk, to genuinely devolve power to local communities and to reinvigorate local democracy but I am fearful whether all parties share the political will to achieve that.

"We now need a period of mature reflection to consider properly what is best for Norfolk. For the Liberal Democrats the bottom line is that local government in Norfolk should be what Norfolk people want it to be. Local people need to have their say and I am horrified by the paucity of consultation that is going to happen. The views of the people of Norfolk should be paramount."