Responding to today’s announcement concerning local government reorganisation in Buckinghamshire

Cllr John Fuller, DCN Chairman said;

“This unwelcome decision has not secured the local consent amongst the elected local councils that was called for in March.   It splits the ceremonial county of Buckinghamshire  into two completely lop-sided authorities neither of which wholly reflect the functional economies of the residents they will represent.

“This decision is the consequence of ill-conceived legislation albeit with a sunset-clause provision which expires shortly. We welcome the clarity of the Secretary of State’s confirmation that there will be no new proposals under this legislation and that in future, reorganisation proposals will require 100% support of those councils affected.

“With a CSR coming up and unfinished business on fair funding outstanding, we must now focus on the root causes of the funding situation local government faces, rather than a further distracting round of reorganisation debates which only generates headlines, rather than homes and local growth.”

ENDS

Notes to editor

The proposals were announced in a written ministerial statement today  https://www.parliament.uk/writtenstatements