Uncertainty with regard to Babergh’s future continues. We learnt today that the Boundary Committee is once again postponing its report on Local Government Reorganisation in Suffolk, Norfolk and also in Devon where councils are suffering the same misery. Apparently not much information was given as to why this move has been made but it has something to do with the implications of the judicial review brought by a council in Devon which is opposed to the plans.
The judge who determined the review largely found in favour of the Committee but East Devon has been given leave to appeal which of course is likely to take time.
I feel sorry for the Babergh Councillors who do not know how long the council will survive, although it looks as though it will now be a full term and wind up in April 2011. Overseeing the activities of an organisation in such circumstances is very difficult and frustrating. I feel even more concerned however for the staff at Babergh whose future remains extremely uncertain. In such difficult economic times I feel that it is shameful to leave so many worried about whether they will have a job in the short to medium term.
The timetable ahead is very unclear, and one has to wonder whether the whole thing will in the end actually be scrapped. If so it will be a terrible waste of time and money.
What is clear is that the County Council elections, due in June 2009 will now go ahead, even though the County Council may not last more than a year (another shocking waste of money).
