County scaremongering again
“The County Council’s Save Our Services campaign is irresponsible, full of mistakes and attempts to rubbish the Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Unitary Councils proposals.”
“The Central Bedfordshire and Bedford proposals correctly identify savings of over £21 million pa, this has been independently validated by The Institute of Public Finance, Deloittes and Local Government Futures.
“The County Council’s ‘critique’ of the financial plans is completely flawed. Perhaps not surprising from an authority, whose financial management practices have been a matter of concern year on year for the Audit Commission.
“The County Council is the third smallest county authority, yet the third highest taxing in the country. The same council is wasting at least £75,000 of taxpayers money on a judicial review as they didn’t get their own way, when the DCLG shortlisted a two Unitary option for Bedfordshire. Would you want these people spending your council tax?”
THE FACTS
· Consistently, one of the lowest taxing district councils in the country, Mid Beds knows how to make savings while maintaining and improving services to a high standard.
· The Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Unitary Councils proposals will save money and protect services by cutting the number of councils from four to two.
· Essential services including teachers, social workers, highways works and waste services will all be protected,
· Savings made can either be used to improve services and/or reduce Council tax.
· Central Bedfordshire Unitary would provide government on a manageable scale – as 10th largest Unitary council in the country
· Central Bedfordshire Unitary will mean decisions are made locally (not in Bedford) and the important role of Town and Parish councils will be preserved
· Central Bedfordshire will be made up of a number of market towns and villages facing similar issues. Services would be provided locally, reducing confusion and improving accountability.
· One Unitary County Council serving the whole of Bedfordshire will be too big, too remote and too impersonal, lacking focus and accountability. It’s a long way from Whipsnade to Wymington.
· One big County Unitary will mean one Councillor per 5000 electors. Central Bedfordshire will mean one per 2,600.
· The historic County identity of Bedfordshire WILL be preserved
Cllr Turner concluded: “Our actions are focused on achieving the best ‘Value for Money’ outcome for our communities. Almost 20,000 Bedfordshire residents have already pledged their support in writing for our two-unitary option.
“I think the people of Bedfordshire are too smart to be taken in by this scare-mongering and are fed up with this bickering between councils. We urge the government to make its decision as soon as possible so we can get on with the job of improving services and managing the council tax. “
