THE LEADER of Redditch Borough Council has issued a reminder to residents about the importance of the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation in Worcestershire.
Coun Sharon Harvey spoke exclusively to the Standard, saying Worcestershire had been trapped within an inefficient and unfair two-tier system for 50 years.
She said many of the problems facing Redditch residents were as a direct results of a county council which was not working for the North of Worcestershire.
Coun Harvey also said the two-tier system was confusing for residents.
“Redditch builds houses but Worcestershire builds the roads, the schools and the infrastructure, borough council collects your rubbish but the county council disposes of it.
“The borough council sweeps the pavements which the county council own. I could go on.”
Worcestershire County Council takes the lion’s share of the council tax – £1,615 per year for an average Band D property compared to £277 for Redditch Borough Council.
Coun Harvey’s comments come just months after the county council announced it would be scrapping the multi-million pound upgrade of Redditch Railway Station.
Redditch Borough Council has voted to support a preferred option of a North South split with two new unitary councils in control, with Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District voting the same way.
Wyre Forest District Council and Worcestershire County Council voted for a single unitary authority, combining all six councils.
Redditch would be part of a North Worcestershire, producing economies of scale on a footprint which Coun Harvey said allowed for more local accountability.
She added: “This model champions the once-in-a-generation opportunity to design new organisations that are modern, efficient and fit for the future.
“It enables long-term transformation through digital innovation, integrated service reform and supports sustainable public service delivery.
“Let’s do away with two layers of bureaucracy and confusion. Let’s have all the council tax in one pot, spending money on prevention and not just the crisis.
“We know we need change – let’s embrace that and focus on the massive opportunity that LGR presents.
“Every minute, every day, every month we spend in an inefficient and ineffective two tier system is time – and taxpayer money – wasted.”
