Gummer rejects council structure review plans
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE Government has refused to accept the final recommendations of the Local Government Commission for England and said it should look again at proposals for Derbyshire and Co Durham, writes Ngaio Crequer.
John Gummer, the Secretary of State for Environment, yesterday ordered a fresh structure review of these first important proposals made by the commission.
His decision will raise hackles and call into question the usefulness of an independent body. Yet the decision was expected as the commission had already seemed to express doubts about its own decisions. It announced final recommendations for Derbyshire only for Sir John Banham, chairman of the Local Government Commission for England, to throw them into question in a letter to ministers that said the recommendations did not have to be the last word. He said that the commission could be invited to look again at Derbyshire and Durham.
Yesterday's announcement did just that, emphasising the need for local consensus. The Association of District Councils said the original proposals were a shambles. A spokeswoman said: 'This is a positive move by government, which should bring forward proposals designed to deliver changes for the better throughout Derbyshire and Durham. Opinion polls have consistently shown that people do not want the confusing two-tier system.'
The recommendations as they stand are as follows: one council for Derby, another for north Derbyshire and the rest of rural Derbyshire to keep a two-tier council structure.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments