At today's Council Meeting Babergh councillors resolved in principle to press ahead with a full merger with Mid Suffolk District Council. If achieved the new council will serve over 180,000 people.
Originally the paper envisaged that the new council would start in 2012, just one year after the elections in 2011. This was too speedy for some Members however, and it was decided that there should be a two year period of preparation. Work on the merger of management teams and services will start straight away, but the appointment of a new Chief Executive is likely to be postponed until after May 2011.
Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Local Government, wants to see evidence that the community as a whole is in favour of a merger. It is thought likely therefore that a referendum will have to take place at the time of the elections next year. What with voting for what could be the last Babergh councillors, deciding on AV (no!), and also on the future of the District, the South Suffolk electorate will certainly have a lot to think about as it chews its pencil in early May 2011.
The decision to go ahead with a full merger was not unanimous. 2 Liberal Democrats and our new Labour Member voted against the motion. There was also one abstention. The Conservative Group all voted in favour, despite the fact that there was no whip, showing commendable singularity of purpose.
I really would like to know how those who voted against the merger think that Babergh can both make the significant spending cuts likely to be required by Government, and avoid cutting services to the public and our community grants. According to the business case, even after the savings resulting from the combination have been realised, further economies may well be necessary.
Two Members felt that Babergh should merge with ‘someone’, but not with Mid Suffolk. The problem is that there is no other option available just now and the wolf is approaching the door. It would be sad to see Babergh get into trouble while unable to make up its mind what to do, like Balaam’s ass starving to death between two succulent bales of hay.
As one Member aptly put it ‘When a Tsunami is coming, you don’t wait to ask how big it is!’
This is the 400th post on this blog since inception in early 2007!
