Member Article

NECC urges councils to ditch legal battle

District councils in Northumberland are being urged to reconsider their decision to take legal action over plans by the Government to create one, single authority for the county. The North East Chamber of Commerce pushed for the re-think, citing concerns that a protracted legal battle will damage business growth in the county.

Andrew Sugden, NECC director of membership and policy, said: “Whilst we have every sympathy with the district councils, we are extremely worried that Northumberland businesses will be damaged as a result. It is crucial that the county doesn’t suffer during the transition period so we would urge all the councils to pour their energies into delivering top quality services for the people of Northumberland over the next 18 months.

“A protracted legal battle is not in anyone’s best interest and seeks only to delay the inevitable - which is one, single unitary authority that will give Northumberland a stronger, more cohesive voice.”

NECC was among the first North East groups to formally back plans for single unitaries in both Northumberland and County Durham, stating their approval of the Government’s announcement that both counties would benefit greatly from the consolidation of the public sector.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .