Minister rejects fears over Northumberland super council

Dec 19 2008 by William Green, The Journal

LOCAL Government Minister John Healey has rejected concerns that a new Northumberland super council will be a costly failure.

And he is ready to meet leaders of Blyth Valley Council over fears the unitary authority will not deliver a raft of promised improvements.

County Hall bosses are planning up to 800 job losses, a savings package totalling £25.5m, service cuts and a 4.8% council tax rise to balance the new authority’s first budget.

Speaking to The Journal, Mr Healey said the plans would mean better services, a bigger say for local people, stronger leadership and savings to deliver improved services or deal with “pressures” on council tax.

“I have still not had information that suggests to me that Northumberland is going seriously off-track over budgets, services or the timetable for getting the new council up and running on April 1.

“If Blyth Council, just as I have done with other councils and MPs, wants to set out their concerns to me, of course I will look hard at them,” added Mr Healey.

Blyth Valley Council leader Dave Stephens said: “I am quite happy for him to come up here or we go down to London. But it is important for him to recognise the cuts that are being proposed are going to result in a poor service.”