Ipswich shortlisted for Unitary Status (Ipswich Liberal Democrats)

Ipswich Liberal Democrats <info@ipswichlibdems.org.uk>

Ipswich shortlisted for Unitary Status

March 27, 2007 4:28 PM

Ipswich set for Unitary status

Ipswich LibDems are celebrating the announcement that Ipswich has met the stringent criteria to gain unitary status.

"This will not only save £14 million over 4 years, and be running at a rate of £4 million a year by the 4th year" commented Cllr Richard Atkins, leader of the LibDem group on Ipswich Borough Council, "but it will mean key improvements for the people of Ipswich. Decisions will be taken by Ipswich councillors for Ipswich people."

At the moment, for example, the County Council is responsible for roads but Ipswich Borough carries out the work. So if Ipswich residents report a pothole in their road, Ipswich Borough has to apply for permission to the County to be allowed to repair it - which can only cause delays and add to costs. Weirdly, the County is responsible for some street lamps and the Borough for others, and you need to look the light up on a computer database to see who maintains which one.

Because of the way government funding formulae are worked out, schools in Ipswich will be better off under a unitary Ipswich. It doesn't seem to matter which part of local government you look at, Ipswich taxpayers will get a better deal by having just one tier of local government.

"70% of the UK's population live in unitary authorities" Richard explains "and it was wrong that Ipswich did not get the unitary status it so richly deserves last time this was looked at. Some critics say Ipswich is too small to be a unitary, but forget that all London Boroughs are smaller, and there are plenty of others around the country which are smaller, and have a good track record on providing efficient services."