Event Detail : 27 March 2007
Proposals for Unitary Status of Exeter City Council - Philip Norrey and Philip Bostock
EXETER PROPERTY FORUM PRESENTATION
27 March 2007 at Ashford House
SUBMISSIONS FOR AND AGAINST UNITARY STATUS FOR EXETER Submissions in favour of Unitary Status by Philip Bostock Chief Executive of Exeter City Council Exeter City Council’s Track Record- rated excellent by Audit Commission
- 4th lowest council tax in the country for a city council
- debt free
- dynamic 10 year performance of the City
- Met Office
- employment growth
- City centre redevelopment
- regional city/capital of the South West
Mr Bostock highlighted that the Met Office was the catalyst required to raise the City’s profile on a national stage as a business location. Moreover, the £230m development of the city centre was a fantastic vote of confidence for Exeter.
Mr Bostock elucidated the need for a coherent approach to the city’s development as a new growth point with future developments to include Cranbrook, the skypark and science park. There are future growth opportunities to develop a partnership ethos by working with partners such as the South West RDA, Exeter University, the Peninsula Medical School, Exeter Heart of Devon and the Business Forum.
Strong and Prosperous Communities – Local Government White PaperKey themes:
- stronger local leadership
-community engagement
- increased efficiency
- strong cities
Mr Bostock told the forum that smaller cities like Exeter are of importance to the treasury and need to be free to play their role. He said the White Paper identified the following problems with the two-tier system of local government:
- ambiguous leadership
- blurred accountability
-public confusion
- duplication
-inefficiency
This is not joined up government and the public do not know who does what.
The White Paper proposes 2 ways forward;
1. unitary status – one council responsible for every service
2. new models of two-tier working (Local Area Agreements)
With the unitary system Exeter’s money would stay in Exeter and not be spread out throughout the rest of Devon. It would be under the control of partner agencies and stakeholders. There would be clarity of vision and urban focus with complete integration of local authority services. There would be new ways of working and stronger capacity and motivation to work in partnership.
Mr Bostock highlighted transition costs estimated to be £6.5m but these costs would not lead to a rise in council tax. There would also be efficiency savings of £12m. A MORI poll has revealed local, business and political support for Exeter’s submission to become a unitary council and this was a once only opportunity offered by the government.
Timetable- unitary bid made on 25 January 2007
- decision on 27 March 2007 on whether reached final round
- 12 week consultation period
- final decision July 2007
-shadow council May 2008
- new unitary council April 2009
Submissions against Unitary Status by Phil Norrey Chief Executive of Devon County CouncilMr Norrey referred to the white Paper and highlighted:
- strong cities, strategic regions
- managing performance
- transforming services
- strong leadership
-local choice and influence
Central government can no-longer micro-manage at the local level. Taxation is not producing enough funds to provide for an ageing population so there is more power locally. There are economies of scale found with the current system.
Exeter is part of Devon and the capital city of Devon. There is no dichotomy between rural Devon and Exeter. Devon needs Exeter’s shared vision. It would take the heart out of Devon.
There have been difficulties with other unitary councils in the south West – such as Torbay, Plymouth and Swindon.
Devon County Council has a good track record of working with Exeter City Council such as:
- Cycle Exeter
- the Met Office
- investment in education
- waste
- transport improvements
Devon County Council has no problem with Exeter City Council. Exeter has performed better under the two-tier system than either Plymouth or Torbay (both of which are unitary authorities).
Devon County Council can focus on Exeter’s development at key times. There are opportunities to develop/improve a cultural leisure capital, planning for growth, skill and productivity and communication and transport infrastructure.
Growth in Exeter is actually outside of the City to the east. There will have to be significant partnerships to achieve this growth.
Devon County Council has more clout in funding major projects and has made large investments to address education underachievement and create a better skills base.
Transport requires collaboration with other agencies.
Large numbers of people travel into Exeter for work and education from outside of the area.
Devon County Council has had a decade of outstanding achievement and is now developing transport to the east of the City so why have two transport authorities.
A unitary council for Exeter will not be able to fund adult and child social care costs. It would be the 10th smallest in the Country and services would soak up all of its resources in one small area.
Negative points for unitary in Exeter are:
- transitional costs of £19.5m (similar to those for Torbay)
- potentially increased ongoing costs
- complex joint arrangements and partnerships
- small unitary authority
- if it aint broke don’t fix it
- history of unitary in the South West is not good
Exeter City Council and Devon County Council work well together and have delivered.
It will take Devon County Council two years to dismantle the County Council as it exists and this will take the focus off of service delivery. It is better to work together and not as a partner over the border.
Devon County Council is based in Exeter and is part of Exeter. If unitary Devon Count Council would have to move its offices/ administrative centres out of Exeter.
Media release 27 March 2007 - One Council for ExeterCouncil Welcomes Unitary Announcement
News that Exeter's submission to become a unitary council has made the government's shortlist of 16 Councils has been welcomed by the City Council.
The Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has today published a list of 16 Councils whose business cases have met all of their criteria including the crucial financial one and will now go forward to the next stage. Exeter, along with Ipswich and Norwich, has gone through to the final stage.
The next stage will be a 12-week consultation period with stakeholders where the DCLG will assess local feeling towards the proposals before a final announcement is made in July about which councils will be given the green light.
"We are pleased to see that the strength of our business case and financial arguments have been recognised." said Council Leader Roy Slack. " We have considerable support for our case with the leaders of all four political parties advocating a unitary Exeter along with the business community and a two to one majority of residents supporting the approach. We welcome the government's stakeholder consultation as we feel confident it will show the real strength of feeling there is for a clearer, more accountable form of government in the city."