independent Cornish news and comment

ONE YEAR UNTIL THE NEW COUNCIL FOR CORNWALL

In one year’s time the new unitary council for Cornwall will begin. On 1 April 2009, the services currently delivered by the District, Borough and 'County' Council will be delivered by a new single council.
With just 12 months to go Cornwall’s county and district councils are working together to ensure that services run smoothly during the change over to the new unitary council.

Cornwall’s unitary proposals were given the green light by Government last summer. Since then the six existing District and Borough Councils (Caradon, Carrick, Kerrier, North Cornwall, Penwith and Restormel) and Cornwall County Council have been working together to lay the foundations for the transformation to create a streamlined and more efficient council.

“Although this is a programme of radical change which sees the end of one whole tier of local government, there will be no “big bang” or disruption next year. It is vital that services to the public continue as normal, even though behind the scenes the way we run and organise those services will change,” explains David Whalley, Chair of the Implementation Executive – the 24 councillors leading the transformation.

He cont: “Around £17m a year in savings will result from this re-organisation – savings that we will invest in improving front line services to the public and making services more accessible.”

All public services will be delivered by one organisation – recycling, council tax and planning consents, social care, highway concerns, and school enquiries will be the responsibility of the new council.

Residents will become aware that finding information and making enquiries will be easier for them. ‘One Stop Shops’ will be introduced across the County. Local residents will be able to walk in and get information, advice and guidance, and meet council staff and councillors face to face. A telephone contact centre and website will ensure enquiries are dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Better use of technology means that residents can look forward to improved digital services with access to the council via a new transactional website, texting, information kiosks and digital TV.

“Some people have told us they are worried that this new council will become “Truro-centric” and that local communities will lose their voice” continues David Whalley. “It is really important that we have a system of local government that allows communities to maintain a strong sense of local identity and purpose”

There will be area offices across Cornwall to ensure the new council continues providing the local services people want.

A new website has been set up to keep people updated with the progress on the reorganisation. It has details of important meetings, links to committee papers and offers the public the opportunity to submit their views, questions and comments. The address is www.onecornwall.cornwall.gov.uk


Some key dates in the transition programme are:
Mar - Oct 2008 Electoral review to decide the number of seats on the new council
April 2008 draft blueprint for new council
June 2008 locations of HQ, and local offices are identified
April 2009 new council starts
May/June 2009 elections for the new council