Green Party’s vote over Somerset changes for local government

FROME councillor, Shane Collins, who is leader of the Green group on Mendip District Council, has spoken about the decision made in support of the East West ‘Stronger Somerset’ proposal put forward by district councils, for the future of local governance. 

Somerset County Council is pursuing a ‘OneSomerset’ council which would abolish all five councils and replace them with a single council. 

Mendip District Council voted in favour of an alternative plant, for an East West ‘Stronger Somerset’, with the vote split 33 to 8, on 10th September.  Green Party members voted in favour, describing it as a “second best option. “

Cllr Shane Collins said, “We remain totally unconvinced in a recession, Covid-19 and climate emergency that now is the time for 2/3 years of re-organisation in search of savings that probably won’t appear but felt that the government is set on a unitary authority, which would be far too large, so we went along with ‘Stronger Somerset’. It’s all very sad.

“We are faced with two years or so of re-organisation, staff insecurity, confusion, demoralisation and inefficiency due to further attempts to save money as part of the government’s austerity programme, of which unitary councils are a part.

“Meanwhile, due to austerity and Covid-19, unemployment is up to 2.8m and the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), has said unemployment could more than double by the end of this year when furlough finishes. So we look forward to the New Year of 2021 with 5 to 6million unemployed, the largest number for decades. Councils will be busy.

“And then there is Brexit. If this is not bad enough, we face the real possibilities of a no deal Brexit with dire prospects for export manufacturing and the local farming industry. Whilst the outcome is unclear, no-one seriouslythinks there will be any improvement for some time.

“Meanwhile, the climate emergency gets worse and the tipping points get closer. From a 20% drop in the UK wheat harvest to fires in California and Siberia, the business as usual IPCC forecast is for a 4.3C rise by 2100 or 80 years away. We should remember the difference between a 2oC and a 4oC temperature rise is quite simply civilisation.

“I have no doubt that the unitary debate is taking our minds away from the climate emergency, the most dire problem we face.

“With this background, it is fair to say we remain unconvinced by a single large ‘One Somerset’’ unitary authority and the need to change now, we are unconvinced by the heroic figures being suggested for saving money and note the efforts of the Ignite consultancy in South Somerset and Taunton and Somerset West have not produced the promised results. We are unconvinced One Somerset will lead to decentralisation, and until social care is sorted out at a national level, whichever council deals with the elderly, will always be in debt. 

“We are unconvinced and actually quite insulted by Somerset County Council leader, cllr Fothergill, suggesting halving the number of councillors is a good thing. With the problems down the line, the councils are going to need all the councillors they can get. We are the eyes and ears of councils and we are going to be busier than ever as the recession takes hold. 

“We are unconvinced that One Somerset’s funding will follow down to Town and Parish councils if they take on roles done before by district and county councils.”

“The question is do we hold out for what we believe in and ensure the government and public know we do not support reorganisation and unitary, or do we try and influence what seems a decided decision and support the second best option of an East West split, with Mendip District Council joining South Somerset District Council.

“However we recognise which way the wind is blowing, we understand the government seems set on a unitary council and we understand the district councils are looking to get the best out of a bad deal.

“We hope that democratic representation will be better than One Somerset, and note Stronger Somerset’s aim that the “council will continue to work with colleagues across all tiers of local government and public service in Somerset.”

“Greens are not whipped but as leader, with a heavy heart, I support the ‘Stronger Somerset’ proposals and hope the new minister, Luke Hall MP, lasts longer than the seven months of his recently departed predecessor and supports the proposals of district councils and a ‘Stronger Somerset’ East West bid.’”