Central Bedfordshire submission (25/01/07)
The two councils say this option would ensure services are closer to local communities and would have the strategic capacity to deliver improvements and savings.
The joint submission from Mid and South Bedfordshire Councils will complement the submission by Bedford Borough Council for a new unitary authority covering Bedford. The Government is expected to announce a decision by the end of March.
The two councils believe that a unitary Central Bedfordshire completes the unfinished business of the 1994 review when the public overwhelmingly supported setting up Central Bedfordshire (13,092 supported the Central Bedfordshire option. Only 4,020 supported a unitary for the rest of Bedfordshire including Luton). The councils also believe it will deliver strategic growth, improve community leadership, preserve local services, keep council tax low, provide strong financial management and improve local governance.
Central Bedfordshire would bring together Bedfordshire’s many market towns and villages. The area shares social, economic, cultural and environmental issues which can have common solutions. Physical distance is less important today when there are affinities between communities and the electronic means to bring them together and provide access to services.
Both councils have strong performance records as judged by the Audit Commission and other assessments. They are currently delivering major contributions towards the need for sustainable growth.
Mid and South Bedfordshire have jointly established Citizone Points of Presence in their areas so local residents do not need to travel distances to access council services. They are also working in partnership using the web to serve their communities.
Norman Costin, Leader of South Bedfordshire District Council said: “At a special meeting on 24 January, Council carefully weighed the various options and agreed to adopt Central Bedfordshire as its preferred option. This was not an easy decision for councillors as many felt that there was not enough time to fully consider the implications. The decision to support a Central Bedfordshire was based on the strong partnerships that we already have with Mid Bedfordshire Council and our common desire to keep closer to our communities.”
Tricia Turner, Leader of Mid Beds District Council added: “We feel that big is not best, that local services provided by local councils independently recognised as sound managers and held to account locally is the best way forward. There will be savings, the removal of inefficient management layers and we will ensure local council tax is spent on local services.
“Our actions are focussed on achieving the best ‘Value for Money’ outcome for our communities and we hope that everyone in our area will join the debate to make sure that we achieve the best result possible.”
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Click here for a copy of the Central Bedfordshire submission and supporting documents.
In the autumn the Local Government White Paper gave the opportunity to all councils to propose unitary government or improved two-tier working in their areas. The proposal for a Central Bedfordshire follows declarations by Bedfordshire County Council and Bedford Borough Council that they will recommend to the Secretary of State that unitary local government in Bedfordshire is the best approach. A Central Bedfordshire Council complements Bedford Borough’s case for a Unitary Bedford.
