Mid Devon leader condemns super-council plan (From Mid Devon Star)

Mid Devon leader condemns super-council plan

7:10am Friday 11th December 2009

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A NEW super-council for Devon – recommended this week by the Boundary Committee For England – would leave the voters of Mid Devon the most under-represented in the country.

That was the claim made this week by Cllr Peter Hare-Scott, the leader of Mid Devon council, which would disappear if the Government adopted the recommendations.

The creation of a single unitary council would replace the all the existing councils in the county - with only Plymouth and Torbay being exempt.

Mr Hare-Scott said yesterday: “The prospect of a major upheaval in Devon is the last thing anyone needs – and, in any case, we know that two thirds of people in Mid Devon are against the idea of a super-council covering the whole county.

“A new super-council for Devon would have the worst level of democratic representation in the country, with a proposed 100 elected councillors representing 740,000 people – that’s one councillor working for 7,400 people.

“Along with all the other district councils, we will be lobbying hard during the six-week consultation period to get Ministers to drop the idea.”

The public service union Unison has decided not to take sides on the unitary debate but still has great concerns.

Spokesperson Karen Williams said: “In Cornwall, where something similar has already taken place, our members have experienced a massive amount of uncertainty over the security of their jobs.

“Members of the community who receive their services are also concerned.

“This would be such a major disruption it really is the last thing we need, especially bearing in mind the recession and the pressures that brings.”

The Government will make the final decision about whether or not to follow the advice of the Boundary Committee and has set a deadline of January 19 for the public to comment.

You can submit your views about the Boundary Committee’s proposal by emailing devonstructures@communities.gsi.gov.uk.

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