Government announcement causes uncertainty (27/03/07)

The Department for Communities and Local Government has today (27 March 2007) announced that the proposal for a new unitary authority for Bedford will be taken forward for further consultation.  It has also announced that Bedfordshire County Council’s proposal for a single, countywide unitary authority has also been included on a list for further stakeholder consultation.

The Central Bedfordshire authority, proposed by Bedford Borough in their bid and supported in submissions by South Bedfordshire District Council and Mid Beds District Council, has not been taken forward at this stage.

A period of consultation now commences and will close on the 22 June 2007.  South and Mid Bedfordshire District Councils have already set up websites and included in their regular magazines the opportunity for everyone to give their views and it is important that local people take the opportunity to complete these so that the Minister making the final decision in July is fully aware of local feelings.

Chief Executives of Mid and South Bedfordshire District Councils, Jaki Salisbury and Jon Ruddick, commented, “The Government has said that it will look at the rest of Bedfordshire to see whether the two tier structure needs to be changed if Bedford Borough is given unitary status.  It is surely beyond dispute that retaining a County Council and two District Councils would be unviable and it is very disappointing that today’s announcement has left Bedfordshire in this uncertain position.  We are urgently seeking clarification of this announcement as we do not believe it complies with the Government’s own rules and it will make the consultation difficult and confusing for the public.  Nevertheless, in the meantime we will stay focussed on the day-to-day delivery of quality services that are so important to the people living and working in Mid and South Bedfordshire.”

Click here for further background information on the Central Bedfordshire submission. (awaiting upload)