Published: March 28, 2007
District Council bosses 'confident' that unitary plans will be dropped

District Council leaders in Somerset have expressed confidence that Somerset County Council’s plans to create a single-tier, mammoth local authority covering Burnham and the whole of Somerset will soon be dropped.

Their statement followed a decision on Tuesday (March 27th) by the Department for Communities and Local Government to put the County Council’s plans out to consultation over the next three months to test how popular they are.

A recent opinion poll conducted in Somerset by the national YouGov polling organisation showed opposition to the County Council’s plans running at more than three to one against, with opposition particularly strong amongst women and older people.

Sedgemoor District Council leader Duncan McGinty and chief executive Kerry Rickards issued a joint statement: "It is not surprising that the government decided to consult with the people about the County Council’s plans, indeed I welcome consultation provided it is fair, impartial and involves all sections of the community."

"The government has made it clear that a mammoth, unitary authority can only proceed if it has popular support. Plainly, these proposals do not have public support. In addition to the opinion poll conducted by YouGov there have been no fewer than nine surveys of public opinion including several run by local newspapers and a number involving parish councillors."

"Not one of them has indicated support for the County Council’s plans. I am confident that once the government realises this the County Council’s plans for a vast bureaucracy centred on Taunton will be consigned to the dustbin of history."

Early next month District Councils in Somerset will begin a county-wide programme of events to ensure the public voice is properly heard during the consultation period and will begin the process of enhancing two-tier working to ensure the Districts and the County work together effectively once the County Council’s plans are dropped.