Durham Unitary Council Condemned

4.50.57pm GMT Mon 31st Dec 2007

76% of people in the district who voted in the local referendum rejected the government's proposals for a County Durham Unitary Council, but the government has ignored local opinion and pressed ahead with the plan.

Liberal Democrats believe in truly local government and want more power for local people not less and we condemn this move which is against the wishes of the people of County Durham. Unitary councils are a step in entirely the wrong direction.

What is needed is more local people involved in the democratic process and local decision-making, not less.

Our view is that Unitary councils are likely to make it more difficult for people to take part in local decisions which affect their lives. It will be more difficult than it is now to influence decisions in your local area.

Liberal Democrats continue to oppose the Unitary Councils but we will aim to influence the Unitary Councils to devolve decision making and resources as far as possible to the local level.