Conservatives reassert position on Unitaries
Author: Bob Neill MP |
“I have recently received some queries about the Conservative Party’s stance on unitary local government. I thought it might be useful to remind colleagues about our ongoing position.
A Conservative Government will not support any further unitary restructuring, as we believe it is expensive, time-consuming, unproductive and divisive. The financial case for reorganisation has been comprehensively demolished by the respected academics Professors Chisholm & Leach in their book Botched Business, which is well worth reading.
We will stop the unitary restructuring plans for Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon if they have not been brought into force by the time of the general election.
There is however great potential for more joint working, sharing of back office functions and greater cooperation between councils; such initiatives are already being implemented by many local authorities across the country.”
Taken from a letter from Bob Neill MP