Democracy could 'die' under local council reorganisations in England, MPs say
Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Stamford, is among those urging the Government to reconsider its plans
Reorganisations of councils in England could lead to the "death of democracy", an MP has said, as a chorus of Conservatives urged the Government to reconsider its plans.
Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Stamford, was among those who said proposals that threaten to tear up local council boundaries and powers in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Rutland could ride roughshod over residents' sentiment.
Meanwhile former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale stressed the need for residents to be locally represented, amid changes affecting his Essex constituency.
Ministers have announced that council boundaries will be redrawn, with two-tier councils replaced with one larger unitary body that will look after all services from rubbish collection to education.
All eventual unitary bodies will need to have populations of about 500,000, forcing mergers of smaller councils, including Rutland, which only has 40,000 residents.
Under the three proposals submitted to the Government, England's smallest council could be taken into new bodies, with either Leicestershire or parts of Lincolnshire.
The Government told MPs its consultation would be published in November.
"democracy will not die"
Ms Kearns said: "Residents of Rutland overwhelmingly want to join with Stamford, yet the council's pushing ahead with an unwanted Leicestershire merger.
"In South Kesteven, my constituents don't want to join a mega-Lincolnshire council. Yet they're being pushed towards this.
"In Leicestershire my constituents do not want a Leicester City takeover. What reassurance will the Government give that democracy will not die under these reforms and local people's voices will be heard?"
Rutland had its county status abolished in 1974, becoming a district of Leicestershire. However it was restored as its own county in 1997 before the Conservatives lost the general election. It led to the creation of a unitary authority.
Communities minister Alison McGovern said: "I can certainly confirm that democracy will not die.
"I know that officials in the department will have heard what she has said, and I will accept her question as representations on the issue of local government."
She was joined by Edward Argar (Melton and Syston) and Dr Luke Evans (Hinckley and Bosworth) from the region who raised concerns.
"opportunity for simpler and more clear local services"
Mr Argar, a former justice minister, said: "What commitment can the minister give my constituents in Thurmaston, Syston, Queniborough and nearby villages who wish to remain in the council of Leicestershire, and have services provided in Leicestershire, that they will not, against their wishes, be absorbed into the city of Leicester, as being advocated by Labour's city mayor in the context of local government reorganisation."
Dr Evans said: "We in Leicestershire have three, if not four, plans with our reorganisation, with no agreement."
Ms McGovern said she would be meeting MPs and the resulting bodies would improve services.
She said: "The reorganisation does create an opportunity for simpler and more clear local services."
She added: "We've got a process under way. I'll be engaging with colleagues right across the House on it."
Meanwhile Sir John said he was concerned about his constituency coming under town halls that would no longer feel "local" to residents.
He said: "Whether Essex ends up with three or four or five authorities, for my constituents in Maldon, they will come under an authority which is no longer local. Can she say whether as part of the reform, more powers will be devolved to town and parishe councils who are actually able to understand and properly reflect their local residents?"
Ms McGovern said: "Final proposals in Essex were submitted by September 26, and we anticipate launching a statutory consultation in November, so I'm sure we will discuss the point that he raised in details over the weeks and months to come."