Tough Start for New Council

11.34.08am GMT Wed 18th Feb 2009

A massive administrative change will take place on 1st April when the new unitary council for Northumberland takes over all the responsibilities of the old Northumberland County Council, Castle Morpeth Borough Council and the other 5 District Councils. Morpeth Town Council and other parish and town councils will continue as before.

The priority for the Liberal Democrat Councillors who lead the new Council is to ensure that all services continue to operate smoothly despite major changes in internal organisation, leadership and staff.

This unique transition is even more difficult because the Government is forcing the new council to save a massive £25 million, compared to what the seven councils spent on staff and services in the current financial year. Andrew Tebbutt, Lib Dem Councillor for Morpeth Kirkhill, who is leading the work to establish the council's budget for next year, said: " Next year's budget is very tight because of the Government's demand for savings. Our commitment is to maintain services provided by the previous councils and, very importantly, to continue support for the many voluntary and charitable organisations at the levels of this year. We have removed charges for post-16 home to school transport, giving direct support to hard-pressed families at this difficult time. Our budget proposals include major reductions in management and administrative costs, made possible by the move to a single council, but these alone are not sufficient to balance the books. Other changes proposed, while very unwelcome, are, in our view, the least-worst routes to making the budget balance." A council tax increase of about 4.8%, increases in charges for some council services and reductions in roads spending are being considered. The final budget was agreed at the Council meeting in February. Andrew added: "As no party has a majority on the Council, all councillors will to need to behave responsibly and pull together to find the best way to make the budget balance. What is not possible is to wish away the problems, however much some individuals would like to."