Betrayed by both Tories and Labour
Mar 31 2009 by Neil Mckay, The Journal
The North East is on the eve of its biggest shake-up in local government for more than 30 years. Tomorrow new unitary authorities start work in Northumberland and Durham. Today, in a look at Durham, Neil McKay talks to an opponent and a proponent of the controversial move to unitary governance
Against... Government rode roughshod over view of majority
ALEX Watson believes the Conservative regime betrayed the people of Derwentside in 1980, and the Labour government has done the same 19 years later.
In 1980, the death knell sounded for the steel furnace and the Consett works closed with the loss of 3,700 jobs. It was a devastating blow to the town, not least because the unemployment rate was around 35%.
The town became one of the worst unemployment blackspots in Britain and the demolition of the works led to a massive hole in its heart.
The closure of Derwentside District Council may not have such a visible, or economic, effect, but according to Alex Watson, its leader and a Labour councillor, it is another betrayal.
He said: “People did not want Derwentside District Council to disappear. They made their feelings known, but the government rode roughshod over the views of the majority.
“I believe that the end of the council will be seen in future to be a gloomy day for the district.
“Geographically we are out on a limb, we are away from the A1 and A19 corridors. I can see the district being overlooked on the new unitary, which is far too big.
“There are 126 councillors on the new unitary authority, yet only 11 are from Consett and 11 from Stanley. How are we going to get a fair representation with so few members?
“We have already seen the county council do a disservice to the people of the district by delaying our new sports village.
“It is this unimaginative approach which frustrates me and I fear we are going to see more of it.”
While Coun Watson, as leader of the authority, is understandably biased in his outlook, he points with pride to the achievements of Derwentside District Council in its 35-year history.
He said: “When the steelworks closed and then they ripped up the rail tracks from Consett to Newcastle the district was on its knees.
“We were the region’s rubbish dump. But new homes have been built, unemployment has decreased to 1.7% and new businesses have been attracted to Derwentside.
“Due to a public/private sector partnership we have a new college in Consett, a new swimming pool at Stanley and we are at the forefront of new industries.
“When the district was down on its knees we invested one million pounds in the superhighway by establishing Durhamnet at Tanfield Lea.
“That business is worth £40m now and it will all go to the new unitary authority.”
Coun Watson also criticised the formation of a town council in Stanley.
He said: “That town council, which will have very little influence, is going to cost the council taxpayers of Stanley an extra £50 to £60 per year.
“If we had put up our council tax by that amount – which would have been 30% – we would have been crucified for it.
“It is something else which the people of the district did not want.
“Meanwhile we did not increase the council tax once in the last four years and that is an achievement of which I am proud. “
