Big Brother battle for Atherstone: Row over 'let-down for local democracy'

LABOUR ACCUSES POLITICAL RIVALS OF 'FAILING' ELECTORATE IN BLUEPRINT FOR ABOLITION OF FIVE COUNCILS

'WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO GIVE AWAY THE POWER WE HAVE HERE IN THE NORTH AND HAND IT PEOPLE FROM WARWICK AND STRATFORD?'

THE political fall-out from the proposed Great Atherstone Sell-off got into full swing tonight as Tory county councillors from the north of Warwickshire were accused of "failing" the local electorate.

Labour group leaders Adam Farrell and Julie Jackson turned on three policy-making Conservative representatives for staying silent as Warwickshire County Council's Cabinet approved plans to abolish local democracy.

The duo issued a strongly-worded condemnation of members for not speaking out to denounce the first step to the dissolution of borough councils in North Warwickshire, Bedworth and Nuneaton and replacing them with a single authority in Warwick.

They singled out North Warwickshire member Colin Hayfield, Bulkington Councillor Jeff Morgan, and Nuneaton representative Jeff Clarke – all at today's dramatic Cabinet discussion – for siding with an effective vote in favour of a south-biased devolution revolution.

Other Tories from the north of the county who attended the meeting and could have raised an objection were Mancetter & Hartshill councillor Margaret Bell, Bedworth members Peter Gilbert and Bhagwant Pandher and Arbury's Clare Golby.

The Labour pair claimed North Warwickshire Tories are putting their party interests before the residents they represent, in what would be a "disaster" for local people.

In a joint statement, Councillors Farrell and Jackson declared: "Today the mask has slipped. Local Conservatives have voted to scrap district councils and run everything from Shire Hall in Warwick.

"We already get a raw deal from the Conservative-run county council; now local Conservatives want them to run all services from the south.

"This will mean further cuts to services here in the north and the people who will decide these matters, won't live here.

"Why would anyone want to give away the power we have here in the north and hand it to people from Warwick and Stratford?

"Today the Conservative county councillors that represent our areas have failed local people.

"Not a single Conservative from the north of Warwickshire spoke out against these plans.

"Labour is clear, we oppose a single Warwickshire unitary authority.

"We believe decisions about our area, should be made in our area by people who know the area.

"A single Warwickshire council would be a disaster for our communities."

Earlier today, Nub News reported on the Cabinet meeting and its decision by a unanimous nine votes to nil to press on with plans to replace the current two-tier model – which effectively means the end of district and borough councils including the Atherstone-based North Warwickshire authority.

Members at 'virtual' session to consider the 48-page report ahead of the publication of a bombshell White Paper next month by a Tory government seemingly intent on a nationwide devolution deal which in Warwickshire's case would see a single entity body determining the civic administration of half a million people.

Atherstone-base Labour group leader Adam Farrell was one of three 'bystander' local authority leaders allowed a three-minute "window of opposition" to the plans which will now go before the full membership of the county council on September.

He argued: "There is no credible evidence that this is in the best interest of the people.

"If you approve this report today, it is decided without regard for democracy either."

County council leader Izzi Seccombe has already warned that the "status quo is not a realistic option given the government's desire for change".

Throughout the two-hour meeting she was at pains to stress that she did not view the Cabinet vote as a "final decision" but that it would be for full council to determine on September 22. The Tories currently have a 22-seat majority on the 57-member authority.

Bedworth Nub News revealed this week that the five district councils "at risk" of being wiped from the civic map have rejected the county council proposal.

They have written to Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister Simon Clarke signalling they wish to be invited to present proposals for the future reform of local government, based on views gathered from across Warwickshire.

The quintet – Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council plus authorities representing North Warwickshire, Stratford, Warwick and Rugby – have also commissioned a study looking at options for the future of the area and will then put those choices to a cross section of residents, businesses and organisations.