In answer to Ron Forrest's attack on a unitary council for Somerset

Written by Cllr. Cathy Bakewell and published in Sent to Somerset papers where the letter appeared on Tue 3rd Mar 2009

Dear Sirs

How very like dear old Cllr Ron Forrest from Mendip to get things wrong. I fear he misheard in the Somerset Council Chamber recently when a Councillor, who was retiring at the next election, was expressing his personal regret that he did not see Unitary Council during his time. This at the end of a long budget debate, precisely the time when everyone regrets the waste of money that having the two-tier system of local government brings. This is not to say that the Unitary debate will be back on the table. It may be, but it won't be the local Councils that put it there, it will be central government.

Now the Tories have been running Mendip District Council for over five years now. During that time the Audit Commission, along with others, have become increasingly concerned at the poor level of services and financial management pertaining there. The Council at its last review was assessed as being poor, with no prospects for improvement. Is it any wonder then, that the Lib Dems called for Mendip's finances to be run, under contract, by the County Council, which has an outstanding fiscal record and excellent services.

Come on Ron, wake up and plug in your hearing aid.

Cathy Bakewell

County Councillor