Local Government Reorganisation
Debate between Jerome Mayhew and Angela Rayner(1 month, 1 week ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Jerome Mayhew (Broadland and Fakenham) (Con)
It is apparent to absolutely everyone that this local government reform is now a shambolic, incompetent mess. I just want to put on record how much time, as well as money, has been spent by councillors and council officials right across Norfolk, where this has been a massive, monumental distraction, not for months, but for years. The independent Local Government Association says:
“There is no excuse for the Government’s mishandling of this process.”
Does the Secretary of State agree?
Angela Rayner
No. What I have said is that I have reviewed the decisions. I have said on record that people across Norfolk, and representatives from across the whole conurbation, have put in a great amount of work. I want to respect that work, as the new Secretary of State, and make sure that I am listening, that I have reviewed the decisions, and that I am making the correct ones. I do not believe that is a waste of the time and resources that have been put in. I believe that local government reform is an opportunity for Norfolk. I will work with local leaders at pace to give them certainty. I wanted to ensure, out of respect for their work, that I take that work into consideration, as Secretary of State.