Philip Latham (Hexham Liberal Democrats)

Hexham Liberal Democrats <info@hexhamlibdems.org.uk>

Broomhaugh and Riding

Philip Latham

Telephone : 01434 682494

UNITARY AUTHORITIES AND BELONGING COMMUNITIES

Philip Latham

It Is only 4 years ago that a clear majority of Tynedale residents voted for 2 unitary authorities. Now the Labour Government under Gordon Brown has imposed a single authority. On May 1st , elections will take place to replace the County and 6 District Councils.

At a local level parish and town councils will remain as the democratically elected representative bodies of their local neighbourhoods. However they will have to share power and responsibility alongside 'community forums of non elected local people within a new framework called a 'Belonging Community'.

To some this seems a over complex structure which will have difficulty in recruiting residents to serve on it.

There are others, especially those with long memories who are beginning to wonder whether a return to the days of pre 1974 with Urban and Rural councils might be the best solution for here in Tynedale. Whatever does emerge must be properly financed to serve local people and communities.

Conservative Councillors award Council managers £290,000 in retention payments Equivalent of £12.00 on your council tax bill.

A Freedom of Information request to Tynedale Council by a member of the public has finally exposed the size of the retention payments scheme to be over £290,000.

The controversial retention payments are to be paid to senior council managers as 'golden handcuffs' in an effort to keep them at the council in the run up to the new unitary authority.

But who really runs the council?

However it looks as if the policy is already in tatters with the Chief Executive able to negotiate his own terms after being offered a big wage hike if he moved to a unitary authority.

The manager in charge of the new Hexham Baths' construction has gone to the private sector. It is clear that the golden handcuffs have been shattered; the policy is in tatters.

WHY SO MANY PACERS ON THE TYNE VALLEY LINE?

Who has let down the passengers who support the service?

Just when it looked as if the quality of service was really improving especially with provision of modern comfortable rolling stock, we are back to the old unloved Pacers with a ride like a demented elephant.

If the Labour Government is serious about getting people out of their cars then providing rolling stock which would not be out of place in the poorest countries in the world is not the best way to do this.