Over the border: Council leader insists no secrecy over local government re-organisation
Politics / Thu 8th May 2025 at 01:54pm
THE full cost of shutting down an Essex council, which could cost the taxpayer millions, is allegedly “being kept secret” – a meeting has heard reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
A Liberal Democrat councillor has raised concerns over the cost of scrapping Uttlesford Council as part of Labour’s major reorganisation of local government in Essex.
However, the council leader has insisted that “nothing is secret.”
The Labour Government is introducing the biggest change to local councils in 50 years. It plans to scrap all local authorities and replace them with a few larger councils that would manage all local services from bin collections and highway maintenance to schools and social care.
No full details have been made public, but Uttlesford, Harlow, and Epping Forest could all merge into one new council, which would also take on the responsibilities of Essex County Council.
At the meeting, Lib Dem councillor Alan Dean said: “What worries me is there is no progress in understanding the scale of the exercise, and one of the problems, with this whole thing, is it’s being kept secret because the minutes are being not published so we don’t know what’s going on.
I’d like some information about what the process is, to work out what we are eventually going to have to cough up for this whole process. Even if it is preliminary and what’s in and what’s out of our own pockets, it’s just a mystery at the moment. It’s particularly made the case by the fact the whole thing is being kept secret by the leader and whoever she chooses to give information to.”
Petrina Lees, Residents for Uttlesford, council leader said: “Nothing is secret. I’ve spoken to other councils and people have asked me why am I having meetings with opposition leaders.
I am having meetings on a regular basis with Cllr Moran, Cllr Sell, nothing is secret, nobody has kept anything secret.
I need to make it very clear Cllr Dean, that is incorrect, if you are unsure and Cllr Sell cannot answer come to me and I will tell you what we’ve discussed with leaders of the opposition.
In the budget we stated we’ve set aside £2.75million for local government reform. We’ve asked the Government for money. In the letter we’ve signed, we all agreed on March 19, we’ve stated we think it’s going to cost between £5million to £5.75million.”
Nostradamus
2025-05-08 22:15:27
No problem then! What idiots think that splashing £5.75 million on shuffling round for what is actually a manoeuvre to gain political party advantage rather than making the present system more efficient is a good idea when public services are strapped for cash? Perhaps our esteemed leaders might enlighten us when no one can recall this being a well publicised issue at the general election.
Nicholas Taylor
2025-05-09 06:50:34
Will Cllr Swords tell us how much he estimates it will cost Harlow Council (us) to make this unwanted change? A change lets not forget that is being made as a result of a vote by a few handfuls of elected councillors who have made no attempt to consult residents about these changes. The same councillors in Harlow who voted to spend nearly £7 million on repaving in the town centre.
Surinder
2025-05-09 11:17:32
Nicholas Taylor, the current local government reorganisation has nothing to do with Harlow Council. This is an initiative of the present Labour Government as set out in the English Devolution White Paper of December 2024 and will apply across England.
Nicholas Taylor
2025-05-09 11:48:14
Surinder, of course it has everything to do with Harlow Council, if only because there will not be one after 2027. Essex CC and the councils within the County were invited to put a case together, they did not have to at this time.. The Council Leaders have all signed up to do so, but behind the scenes we all know there are divisions in the ranks. Our council has failed to engage with residents, unlike others across Essex and I think it is perfectly right to ask how much this is going to cost tax payers when the government is bust and most councils are facing bankrupcy. Perhaps you were not around in 1974, as I was working in the housing department in Harlow, the task even then was huge, as it was in 1978 when the Development Corporation was wound up. Harlow will need a Town Council and even Parish Councils if residents are to be represented like those in the rest of the new enlarged council area, creating even more issues. Publically our Council seems to have failed to grasp the consequences of this.
Surinder
2025-05-09 13:17:19
Nicholas Taylor several Councils were accepted for fast-tracking for implementation of this Government initiative: Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, Cumbria and Cheshire. However, it will apply across the whole of England. Whether it happens at the first stage or second is largely immaterial. This is Labour Government policy. I still don't see how you can hang this on Harlow Council. If the objective is to reduce layers of government and bureaucracy, why would you wish to replace a confusing and expensive two tier system with yet another two tier system with Town and Parish councils. What possible purpose could they serve. Epping Town Council which falls below Epping District Council has responsibility for some street parking, a few recreation fields and a couple of public conveniences...hardly worth the trouble. We need less bureaucracy not more. Unitary authorities will be more efficient and user for residents to understand than the confusing current division of responsibilities between district and county councils. Also we will have a single taxing authority. At present Harlow is freezing its share of Council Tax, but Essex which controls the greater share is increasing it. A unitary authority is far better in this regard. Harlow and the other districts that will make up the new authority will all have their fair allocation of councillors so democratic accountability will not be an issue.
Nicholas Taylor
2025-05-09 17:39:24
Surinder, Changing who provides services should not be based on centuries old county boundaries and arbitary population figues, a better way may have been to look at who provides health care so that there is a better joined up service. Town and Parish Councils are statutory consultees in respect of planning applications and as things stand residents across the new district will still have a voice, except here in Harlow. They can also create Neighbourhood Plans as a result of the Localism Act of 2011. At the moment the three authorities proposed for West Essexl have a combined total of 126 councillors. It is thought this number will be reduced. But in any event, those representing Harlow will be in a two to one minority, meaning that decisions about the future of Harlow will be taken by Councillors living up to fifteen miles from the town. There is no evidence that Unitary Authorities are more efficient. As for confusion about who provides service well this is a red herring. these days, just take a look at a website. Of course the one thing lacking in all of this is consultation with residents, of which there has been none. The only winners are the two main polical Parties, that is until last Thursday.
Surinder
2025-05-10 10:22:15
Nicholas Taylor, I think you are missing the point. The Government's plan is to bring the provision of services closer to residents and to inject greater efficiency and economy in the process. A combined West Essex Unitary makes eminent strategic sense to attract high end healthcare and tech industries along the London /Cambridge/Stansted corridor bringing high skilled well remunerated job opportunities to residents. Such a council could function with far fewer councillors, probably half the present number. Your argument that Harlow would be out voted is nonsense. If you look at the demographics of the three councils, none has anything like a majority and why would voting be along current district lines?? Residents in Uttlesford and Epping Forest could claim the same. We will need to think in terms of West Essex and be far less parochial. A larger area will also make house building easier. I don't share your pessimism and parochialism. It is almost ironic, that until the 1970's Harlow and Epping were part of the same constituency. With Harlow located in the centre, this will create great opportunities for prosperity. It is going to happen, so let's embrace it.
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