Warwickshire to debate unitary proposal

Creating a single unitary authority for Warwickshire could save £17 million a year over existing arrangements, according to Warwickshire County Council.
The council is holding a public debate on the issue next week, after suggesting that the move to scrap the current two tier system would help councils cope better with funding cuts.
Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council, said: “Over the next four years the county council has to save £92 million.
“When we consulted with the public on the proposals for our budget savings, a number of respondents indicated that we should be considering unitary local government to protect services.”
The council said that there are currently 272 councillors across six councils in the region, and suggested cutting the number to below 100.
The council estimates that creating just two new councils for the county could save £12 million each year, with a saving of £17 million if just one was created.
Seccombe also suggested that the move would improve service delivery, whilst cutting administration costs.
A report by the council also found that councillors across all six councils currently claim £2.3 million in expenses a year.
But some of the councils included in the proposal have poured cold water on the idea.
Warwick District Council Leader Andrew Mobbs said that the county had not consulted him over its decision to hold the debate on unitary status.
He added that his council did not need to rely upon local government reorganisation to be able to continue providing services.
He said: “In comparison to other local authorities, we have coped remarkably well with the recession, making minimal changes to staffing levels, no cuts to our services and remaining in a very strong financial position; generating a surplus for seven years running.”
And Dennis Harvey, leader of Nuneaton Borough Council told the Coventry Telegraph that the cuts would be “a disaster”
He said: ““It is nothing more than a smokescreen started by Izzi Seccombe to cover the enormous cuts being made by the county. The cuts are appalling, particularly in the north of the county.”
In a joint statement, North Warwickshire Borough Council politicians Mick Stanley and Les Smith called the initiative “an unwelcome distraction”.
The proposal is also complicated by the fact that Stratford-upon-Avon District Council has a shared services arrangement with two councils outside of the county.
Under the previous government, seven counties gained unitary status, but communities secretary Erick Pickles halted plans being developed for Devon, Norfolk and Suffolk after the coalition assumed power.