29 November 2006
Clifton-Brown pledges absolute support for Cotswold District Council Resolution .
Cotswolds MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown today offered his total support for Cotswolds District Council’s Resolution [full text below] against Government attempts to “reorganise” Gloucestershire’s local government. In the recently published White Paper, the Department for Communities & Local Government has invited all councils to consider bidding for unitary status or opting for ‘pathfinder’ two-tier arrangements by January 25th 2007.
Mr Clifton-Brown said:
"I absolutely support the District Council’s resolution to continue to deliver services locally. I, with them, will continue to resist moves toward centralisation, or even to investigate this option, which will inevitably lead toward a Gloucestershire-wide local authority. I completely oppose this government’s drive toward regionalisation, and Unitary Authorities are a step toward this process. It is clear that the people of the Cotswolds want services delivered locally, by Councillors who are democratically accountable.”
The Resolution was passed by the Council yesterday, and stated: “Cotswold District Council will not support either a Unitary or Pathfinder bid for Gloucestershire Councils, and instructs the Chief Executive [Bob Austin] to communicate this response to the County Council, and other Gloucestershire Districts.”
Mr Clifton-Brown added:
“The District Council delivers excellent efficient services, at value for money. The Council has already planned to deliver savings of 3% per annum, a unitary authority would be political window dressing. I will be writing to the Chief Executive of the District Council reiterating my support for this resolution, and to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Lynden Stowe, offering any help he needs.”
FULL TEXT OF COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL
28 NOVEMBER 2006
This Council believes reorganisation of local government in Gloucestershire to be an unnecessary and expensive distraction. There is no evidence that it will deliver benefits to the people of the Cotswolds.
This Council reaffirms its commitment to delivering services locally, and to devolution rather than centralisation.
This Council believes that it discharges its duties effectively and efficiently. It pro-actively seeks opportunities for efficiency, productivity, better procurement and reduced management costs.
Our intention is to deliver cost efficient services and value for money. In so doing this Council welcomes opportunities for closer and enhanced joint working and partnership with other authorities.
In particular we would like to explore:
1. Greater co-location of County and District services in our Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh offices.
2. Co-location of customer information services where practicable, e.g. Stow Library/VIC.
3. Improved links between CDC Front of House services to County services.
4. Improving cost efficiencies in support functions, e.g. Legal, Personnel, Property.
5. Cost efficiencies through joint working with other districts.
Our overriding parameter will, though, always be “What is Best for the Cotswolds”.
Cotswold District Council confirms that it will not support either a Unitary or Pathfinder bid for Gloucestershire Councils, and instructs the Chief Executive to communicate this response to the County Council and other Gloucestershire Districts.
Cotswolds MP, Geoffrey Clifton-Brown today offered his total support for Cotswolds District Council’s Resolution [full text below] against Government attempts to “reorganise” Gloucestershire’s local government. In the recently published White Paper, the Department for Communities & Local Government has invited all councils to consider bidding for unitary status or opting for ‘pathfinder’ two-tier arrangements by January 25th 2007.
Mr Clifton-Brown said:
"I absolutely support the District Council’s resolution to continue to deliver services locally. I, with them, will continue to resist moves toward centralisation, or even to investigate this option, which will inevitably lead toward a Gloucestershire-wide local authority. I completely oppose this government’s drive toward regionalisation, and Unitary Authorities are a step toward this process. It is clear that the people of the Cotswolds want services delivered locally, by Councillors who are democratically accountable.”
The Resolution was passed by the Council yesterday, and stated: “Cotswold District Council will not support either a Unitary or Pathfinder bid for Gloucestershire Councils, and instructs the Chief Executive [Bob Austin] to communicate this response to the County Council, and other Gloucestershire Districts.”
Mr Clifton-Brown added:
“The District Council delivers excellent efficient services, at value for money. The Council has already planned to deliver savings of 3% per annum, a unitary authority would be political window dressing. I will be writing to the Chief Executive of the District Council reiterating my support for this resolution, and to the Leader of the Council, Cllr Lynden Stowe, offering any help he needs.”
FULL TEXT OF COTSWOLD DISTRICT COUNCIL
28 NOVEMBER 2006
This Council believes reorganisation of local government in Gloucestershire to be an unnecessary and expensive distraction. There is no evidence that it will deliver benefits to the people of the Cotswolds.
This Council reaffirms its commitment to delivering services locally, and to devolution rather than centralisation.
This Council believes that it discharges its duties effectively and efficiently. It pro-actively seeks opportunities for efficiency, productivity, better procurement and reduced management costs.
Our intention is to deliver cost efficient services and value for money. In so doing this Council welcomes opportunities for closer and enhanced joint working and partnership with other authorities.
In particular we would like to explore:
1. Greater co-location of County and District services in our Cirencester and Moreton-in-Marsh offices.
2. Co-location of customer information services where practicable, e.g. Stow Library/VIC.
3. Improved links between CDC Front of House services to County services.
4. Improving cost efficiencies in support functions, e.g. Legal, Personnel, Property.
5. Cost efficiencies through joint working with other districts.
Our overriding parameter will, though, always be “What is Best for the Cotswolds”.
Cotswold District Council confirms that it will not support either a Unitary or Pathfinder bid for Gloucestershire Councils, and instructs the Chief Executive to communicate this response to the County Council and other Gloucestershire Districts.
