The Best Guide for the NN12 Area

Tory Squabbles & Secrets Leave Local People in the Dark

Author: Martin Johns - Lib Dem

Published: 11th October 2018 09:04

Councillor Chris Lofts, Liberal Democrat Leader at South Northamptonshire Council, who added: “The Tories seem to see promising major new development as a way of earning favour with their colleagues in Government. This is a similar road that NCC went down a few years ago, that in part, led to the current financial disaster. Democracy, including consulting with local people in key decisions, seem to be taking a backseat.”

As Northamptonshire’s Local Government stutters towards a new structure, that will disadvantage South Northamptonshire’s residents, Tory Leaders across the county continue to squabble and fall out.

District and Borough Council Leaders have written to the Secretary of State, severely criticising their Tory colleagues at County Hall, over their recently published financial ‘Stabilisation Plan’. Their letter states: “The Stabilisation Plan shows many of the flaws which have marked NCC’s financial management for the last few years.” It goes on to state that there is a substantial risk that NCC will: “…leave assets and services in such a condition, that the unitary councils will need to substantially increase spending in order to put matters into a proper and lawful position.”

Liberal Democrat, Councillor Martin Johns commented: “It’s disappointing that Conservative politicians, are having a very public argument over the new unitary councils. To make matters worse, all other discussions are being held behind closed doors. Residents, the wider local community and their elected representatives, are being frozen out.”

It has also come to light, that secret meetings between Tory Council Leaders, could be the first step towards committing our future council to major new housing developments across South Northamptonshire. West Brackley, Cosgrove and Deanshanger have been specifically referred to, but other areas could equally be in danger of large scale developments.

“Without any consultation, Tory Leaders have written to Government expressing interest in a ‘Growth Bid’ that would result in many thousands of additional houses across rural South Northamptonshire”; explained Councillor Chris Lofts, Liberal Democrat Leader at South Northamptonshire Council, who added: “The Tories seem to see promising major new development as a way of earning favour with their colleagues in Government. This is a similar road that NCC went down a few years ago, that in part, led to the current financial disaster. Democracy, including consulting with local people in key decisions, seem to be taking a backseat.”

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