New shadow council leader says unitary will offer a ‘fresh start and bright future’ for Northamptonshire

The very first meeting of the new shadow unitary authority took place virtually on Tuesday night (June 2), with more than 100 councillors logging in via Zoom.And its new interim leader, current South Northants leader Councillor Ian McCord, outlined how he wanted the new unitary to be viewed in five years’ time.

He told councillors: “We must lift our eyes to the horizon and explain why we are doing this.

“Making this change to a West Northants unitary council has one purpose, to give local people and local government a fresh start and a bright future. To see that bright future, for a moment imagine it is 2025 – five years from now – and here is what West Northants Council should have achieved.

“Ofsted have rated our children’s services ‘Outstanding’ offering a fresh start and bright futures to all those who have had a difficult beginning in life.

“Our care systems are transformed and integrated with the NHS and wider health economy. We have put wellbeing and prevention at the heart of all we do allowing everyone to live well, stay well and age well.

“Our young people have bright futures as educational attainment is rising.

“Northampton and our other town centres are reaping the rewards of the plans put in place in the final days of district and borough councils, giving them a fresh start and a bright future.

“A new economic growth plan with ambitious housing and employment targets has been adopted. The local economy is growing again and the damage caused by coronavirus in 2020 fully repaired.

“Long awaited road and bypass schemes have been delivered or are substantially underway. Urban and rural communities are working as one to preserve what is special, protect the countryside and natural environment and grow the local economy.

“Our budgets are balanced and reserves are at healthy levels giving some financial space to look at new investment opportunities.

“West Northants Council is a beacon of good practice others want to aspire to. An employer, where our staff feel valued and are proud to work for.”

The new council will officially launch on April 1 next year, and as a result will see the existing district/borough councils in Northampton, Daventry and South Northamptonshire, as well as the county council, abolished. All services provided by these councils will be passed onto the new unitary.

The reorganisation stemmed from a government appointed inspector’s report into the cash crisis of two years ago at Northamptonshire County Council.

And Councillor McCord said that the new unitary had to respond and work together, highlighting how in the past it had been convenient to blame other councils if services were not up to scratch.

He said: “First off, we have a duty to get our act together, by showing we can live responsibly within our means. To be a great council, we need a range of effective and trusting partnerships – with the NHS, police, fire and other public services.

“And most of all, with our own residents, who we are here to serve. Providing them with a single service where district and county are joined up and better outcomes result.

“But I must warn you colleagues, your best excuse is now gone: it’s not me its them. Potholes were a county matter, planning was district problem. Now, it will be a council matter and this council has sole responsibility.

“In your committees, from this day forward, let us work in a spirit of co-operation to resolve the issues we face. Whatever party we belong to let’s all sit on the same side of the table and solve the problem together.

"We have just one chance and little time to get it right. As the leader of West Northants shadow council, I say come with me, come on that journey and I promise you it will be worthwhile.”