26 July 2007
CSS has welcomed the end to uncertainty that has been achieved with the Communities and Local Government announcement that nine proposals for unitary status will now move ahead.
CSS had not taken a specific stance on unitary status, taking the view that it was for each local county area to consider what was right for its own locality. CSS – which is now keen to ensure a smooth transition of transport and environment services – already has members from unitary councils who will be happy to share the lessons they have learnt.
CSS President, Richard Wills said: “Although the next stage in the process is for stakeholder consultation, there will be pressure for the new councils to form quickly to deliver the savings and efficiencies that have been promised. Any differences that may have arisen between councils during the bidding process now need to be put aside so that those forming the new councils can get on with the job.”
One of CSS’s concerns was the viability of the proposals for smaller unitary councils from the cities and boroughs. It believes it makes sense for the Government to ask Bedford Borough Council, Chester City Council, Exeter City Council and Ipswich Borough Council to undertake further work and submit additional information to demonstrate conclusively the financial viability of their proposals.
CSS also welcomed the government’s announcement that it would continue to work with the five two-tier pathfinder proposals and councils.
Richard Wills, whose own authority Lincolnshire County Council was part of the Lincolnshire pathfinder proposal, said: “Most citizens do not want to know which council does what. They want good services and transparent and understandable governance. The pathfinders should be able to model different methods of achieving this from which other two-tier areas can learn.”
He added: "CSS provides a strong network for senior officers with strategic and technical responsibilities and I am sure that the chief officers for the built and natural environment in those new councils would find tremendous benefits in joining.”
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Media contact
Barrie Hedges, Daybreak Communications office 0845 644 3845; mobile 07899 923756; barrie.hedges@daybreakcomm.co.uk
Notes to editors
- CSS represents the Directors of Strategic Planning, Transportation, Environment, Waste Management and Economic Development throughout the UK. Its members' responsibilities cover more than half the population, 75% of the highways and 90% of the land area of the country. More information from www.cssnet.org.uk
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Membership