UNITING THE BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE CONURBATION
FORWARD TOGETHER! ONE COMMUNITY, ONE VOICE! The last week of January will see each of the nine Dorset Councils meeting to make a decision on the submission of proposals to the Government which would bring about the reorganisation of local government in the County by the creation of two unitary Councils – one for the conurbation by the sea and one for all the rest of Dorset.
The Uniting the Conurbation campaign group strongly supports the changes which are long overdue and will benefit all residents and provide better local government, economic opportunities and a clearer vision for future generations.
The Opinion Research Services Report summarising the results of the public consultation which took place throughout the County, between August and October 2016, concludes: “The evidence of the consultation is that there is widespread support for the restructuring of local government. “
In its overall summary, the PwC report which investigated the business and financial case for the reorganisation proposals, states: “Establishing two new unitary authorities would enable them to simplify their approach, strengthen their voice at regional and national level, deliver improved services and outcomes for residents, achieve significant financial savings and provide stronger and more accountable leadership.”
Chair of the UTC Group , Douglas Eyre comments –
“I really hope that all Councillors will get behind these proposals. The overall financial case clearly shows the overall benefit to Council tax payers by producing savings which can enable maintenance and improvements of day to day services in spite of increased squeezes on the local government purse from central government.
“However, it’s important that the other benefits of reorganisation are not confined to a fear factor, ‘beware what happens if we don’t’ kind of argument. The South East Dorset conurbation, with its 400,000 residents, is one of the largest urban communities in Britain and it needs clear vision and single-minded policies which can be implemented to achieve its full potential. Addressing the traffic gridlock, protecting the environment , providing affordable family housing and making sure that we get the right public and private investment to create good jobs for future generations – only focussed and empowered local government, fit for our times, can achieve those goals. This proposed restructuring is a really exciting opportunity (not just a response to a financial threat, great though it may be) and if that mythical man from Mars were to land here and he happened to be a democratic Martian interested in really good local government, I have no doubt at all that he would NOT suggest that our conurbation’s future would be best looked after by the creation of five different Councils as at present!”
John Probert
