ARCHIVED news story
Norwich unitary bid is a leap in the dark
Released on 22 June 2007
Ministers should think long and hard about a bid that would rip the heart out of Norfolk, destabilise local government and damage its reputation just when we are being urged to strengthen it
Council Leader John Fuller
South Norfolk Council leader John Fuller has condemned the Norwich City Council bid for unitary status as a leap in the dark and a costly distraction which has left local people worried and confused.
The council has just sent its submission entitled "A Leap In The Dark", to Government Ministers in Whitehall.
Commenting on the bid, Cllr Fuller said:
"The deadline for unitary bids has now passed. Our neighbouring authority in Norfolk - Norwich - says that its own unitary bid would cost £14m to implement, more than it costs to run South Norfolk Council for a year.
"History tells us that such cost estimates are just the down payment before the true costs of unwinding contracts and diverting efforts emerge.
"Another health service style reorganisation for local Government is increasingly looking like yesterday's news.
"Nobody wants it. It has caused bad feeling, confusion, and a distraction from focusing on driving-out cost from public services.
"We have characterised the Norwich's bid as a risky leap in the dark.
"Ministers should think long and hard about a bid that would rip the heart out of Norfolk, destabilise local government and damage its reputation just when we are being urged to strengthen it."
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