Burnham-On-Sea’s MP, David Heathcoat-Amory, is to raise the controversial issue of local government reorganisation at an adjournment debate in the House of Commons next Tuesday (November 28th).
It comes just days after Somerset County Council moved a step closer to abolishing Sedgemoor District Council when its members passed a motion instructing officers to work on a bid and submission to create a unitary council. The motion, submitted by the Leader of Somerset County Council, Cathy Bakewell, was passed by a majority of nine.
The Minister to answer the Commons questions on Tuesday will be Meg Munn, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government (pictured below with PM Tony Blair). Ian Liddell-Grainger, MP for Bridgwater, will also contribute to the debate.
Mr Heathcoat-Amory told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I look forward to raising my concerns on the floor of the House of Commons about this ill-judged reorganisation.”
“I will be warning the Minister that this attempt to redraw the map of Somerset will increase costs and reduce local democracy.”
“If the government is genuinely committed to more devolution they should throw out this Liberal Democrat plan to abolish the district councils and consolidate power at County Hall.”
RELATED LINKS:
Unitary council plans move closer after county council vote
Burnham-On-Sea MP slams unitary council plans
