Member Article

Northumberland 'marooned' by two councils option

Northumberland will become an island of in-fighting if the Government approves a two unitaries system of government, according to one of the region’s leading business organisations. The North East Chamber of Commerce yesterday raised concerns that such a move would lead to the county becoming marginalised with battles between rural and urban areas while the rest of the region moved on without it.

NECC warned politicians within the county that the Government’s push for City Regions focusing on Tyne & Wear and the Tees Valley presents significant issues for Northumberland. NECC believes an inward looking county would lose focus on the economic development progressing elsewhere.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, said: “The fear is that if Northumberland does not stand united at such a crucial time it will be marooned. Businesses in the county cannot afford for that to happen. NECC fully understands the concern at a local level that losing the grassroots identity will be a blow to residents but this will pale in comparison to the impact that will be felt if Northumberland does not play a full part in the economic growth of the North East. “It is inevitable that the county would become mired in back-biting and in-fighting between councillors of rival authorities which would leave it isolated. Advocates of the two unitaries option face becoming modern day Neroes who fight while the county burns.”

NECC’s greatest concern for the two unitaries option is that businesses will have to deal with additional administrative issues to achieve previously more straightforward aims.

Mr Ramsbotham said: “One single authority would be far simpler for firms to deal with and would lead to greater stability and growth for the county. This is a situation which cannot be ignored.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .