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Ref: 362/07 2 October 2007
Deep Flaws In Cheshire Districts’ Financial Case Pave Way For Cheshire Single Unitary
The latest financial evidence demanded by Government from district councils in support of the case for splitting Cheshire merely highlights the County Council’s serious concerns about the unacceptable costs involved.
Finance Executive Member Gretta Cousins said today (Tues) that the districts’ third attempt to justify their claims - with the help of independent financial analysis - had merely echoed the county’s doubts.
Said Councillor Cousins: “A bad case has been made worse by the failure of the districts to address a number of concerns from Government about transitional costs, including those relating to accommodation, communications, elections and Information Technology.
“Financial naivety aside, this suggests an even greater potential for higher risks and adverse consequences that would in turn impact upon any assumed savings – and therefore on services.”
“Clearly the Government was right to see justification of a financial case based upon the improbable premise that two is cheaper than one. “
With the County’s own single-unitary proposals having been judged to have met all key criteria at the time of the Government’s decision in July, Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears now faces calls to give the green light to the only submission from within Cheshire that stands up to the rigorous tests set by her Department.
Responding to the publication of the districts’ further financial evidence, Councillor Gretta Cousins said: “The districts’ have now had three chances to get their sums right and have failed on each occasion - and this time by a country mile.”
Over the next few days Cheshire County Council will carry out a comprehensive analysis of their latest efforts, before submitting its own findings to Government.
“It is clear from first reading however, that they have been unable to justify their claims of meeting the CLG’s affordability criteria – and the risk factor identified by Government at the start of the summer is still apparent in the latest figures.“ said the county’s finance chief.
“In stark contrast, the County‘s unchanged, independently vetted figures have stood up to intense scrutiny by the Government. “
And she added: ”I would hope now that Hazel Blears does the right thing and gives us the green light to take forward our plans for a new way of doing things in Cheshire that is both more efficient, produces savings and is more locally-focussed on the many different community areas that make up our historic County”.
Ends
Note To Editors: Cheshire County Council will issue a full statement on the districts’ revised figures once the report has been sent to CLG.
For further information please contact County Councillor Gretta Cousins on 01928 733823 or Media Relations Manager Ian Callister on 01244 972216. |