New start needed for cash-strapped council

Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid has recommended ‘a new start’ for Northamptonshire County Council which would best be achieved through the creation of two new unitary councils’.

The government’s report resulted in council leader Heather Smith resigning. Despite the well-publicised financial difficulties facing the authority, Smith said that ‘you cannot win’ if the ‘machinery of government turns against you’.

The government investigation suggested that Northamptonshire should have two new unitary authorities by 2020, one covering Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire and the other covering Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough. That would mean the county council would cease to exist.

Matthew Golby said: “While I am pleased the report recognises the hard work and dedication of the staff and recognises recent progress in financial management it is clear that the inspector has found what he believes to be significant failings at the council. We accept the findings and we will now be acting accordingly and responding directly to the secretary of state.

“While the report accepts the figures we use in arguing our case for fairer funding, it states we are in no worse position than other councils. We would argue that the sector as a whole does face significant financial challenges and we will continue to work with our local government partners to present our case. While we will make these points in our response, we should in no way hide away from the general thrust of this report. We will now be reviewing the report is far further detail and respond directly to the Secretary of State.”