East/west is best says borough council
WEST Norfolk Council has endorsed two possible scenarios for the future of local government in the county as consultation over possible unitary status continues.
At a full council meeting last Thursday members backed a possible east/west divide, with or without a separate authority in Norwich, and a four unitary option, a proposal jointly devised between West Norfolk Council and South Norfolk Council.
It was felt that both options put forward a strong case for a western focus in any unitary solution for the county based on the way residents live, work and spend their leisure time in the region.
The east/west option was also favoured as it would make sense in terms of road networks, hospital facilities and further and higher education provision.
Council leader Cllr Nick Daubney said: "The economic importance of the west of Norfolk cannot be ignored in this process.
"If the Boundary Committee is instructed to push through a unitary solution for Norfolk, all the evidence points to a division of the county on an east/west basis, taking into account Great Yarmouth, Norwich and Lynn as the major conurbations and economic areas.
"Both Norwich and Lynn have rail links with London and both have been identified as important sub-regions within the Local Government Association's preferred sub regional model."
Chief executive Ray Harding added: "Our ultimate priority is to ensure that the best interests of local residents are kept at the heart of this process.
"Our goal is to work with all other districts and the Boundary Committee to come up with a solution which means that local people continue to receive cost effective services that are absolutely appropriate to local circumstances.
"All the evidence we have available demonstrates that arguments for unitary government based on north/south and single county solutions are inappropriate and ill-conceived.
"The logical way forward is to use the key centres of influence in Norfolk as the basis for any unitary solution. It is the only approach that makes sense of the way people live and work in Norfolk."
The Boundary Committee is in the process of studying the different proposals from councils before announcing its recommendations in the New Year.
Residents and other interested parties can view the two proposals online at www.west-norfolk.gov.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
