Unitary, to be, or not to be, that is the question
In the wake of the Coronavirus, coming to terms with the ‘new norm’ and rebuilding our communities, the topic gripping Somerset residents is the Future of Local Government. Whilst everyone agrees that things must change, recent press indicates that the battle lines are drawn, each side mustering support. Somerset County Council is plugging its business case for a ‘Unitary’ authority, whilst the four district councils are firmly against the proposal, keen to get their oar in first. The joint statement issued by the district councils makes their position crystal clear; they do not support the ‘One Somerset’ proposal.
Work that was commissioned concluded that a single council for Somerset is the wrong solution, but I remain unclear about what the rationale for this is, or how much taxpayers’ money was spent on the work undertaken.
In making up our own minds we must question the views and opinions aired, teasing out any hidden agendas.
The districts maintain that their focus has been on supporting communities, with SCC relentlessly pushing ahead with the Unitary agenda. As both a district and councillor, I believe that to suggest that SCC’s focus has been diverted from handling the Coronavirus is disingenuous.
For some time, central government funding for local authorities has declined significantly, whilst demand for services has increased, not helped by the reluctance of all parties to increase taxes to pay for appropriate service levels. We cannot have it both ways.
Both SCC and the district councils have undergone ‘transformation’ in recent years, maintaining that whilst achieving financial stability, services have been protected; many local communities would disagree.
Moving forward, everyone broadly agrees on the challenges Somerset faces: poverty, poor social mobility, older people in poor health, climate change, homelessness, lack of affordable housing, economic productivity, skills and wage levels.
South Somerset’s preferred option is ‘collaboration and integration’, but what has there been to prevent this happening anyway?
A Unitary will mean fewer elected members; perhaps there is a protectionist element from those opposing it.
There is little hard evidence of anything coming forward from the districts’ alternative proposal for a ‘better future’ for Somerset. I look forward to seeing details of why this will be the best option, focusing on what local communities want and need.
Both sides highlight that their preferred option is not about cost saving. We would be na?ve to buy into this notion; the first point on the district slide headed what ‘the alternative looks like’ is ‘reduce cost’.
There is also significant use of buzz words, ‘improvement’, ‘quality of life’, ‘positive change’; easy to state, but we need evidence to back up these assertions.
SCC are due to present their business case this month. Whatever is decided, we must robustly challenge to obtain the best outcome for Somerset, where other Unitaries have succeeded, and failed.
Meanwhile, the jury remains out, as we juggle this political hot potato.
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