Dear Member,
I wanted to bring you an update following the Labour government's announcement last week, cancelling Norfolk's County Council Elections that were due to take place in May, in just three months' time. Labour have done this as they intend to impose "devolution" and local government reorganisation on Norfolk and Suffolk seeing the two counties abolished and a single Mayor imposed.
Devolution is the opposite of what it sounds like. This is Regional Government not Local Government. This will bring us into line with the EU and is the same idea tried by Blair, which failed because it was more accurately described. There are no new powers, and things done at District and County level are going up to the new Mayor. Incidentally the areas with the highest Council Tax in the Country are Unitary Authorities so this isn't about saving you money. I believe this decision was completely wrong and that the elections should have gone ahead.
However, I am delighted that I have been appointed to Breckland Council's Cabinet to try and protect everything that we have achieved in Breckland. As a Cabinet Member, I will represent Breckland at meetings with the authority's peers to protect the interests of our residents and businesses.
It is essential that any changes made in the future are done with the needs of local residents and businesses in mind, otherwise we risk damaging services, bringing in stealth cuts and tax rises, and forcing a poor deal on local people.
I will therefore be working closely with Breckland's partners to make sure any proposed changes reflect what our local residents need and that they will bring benefits, not harm, to the people of Breckland.
Best wishes,
Bill Borrett
Chairman Mid Norfolk Conservative Association
