Arundel and South Downs MP, Andrew Griffith, has issued a rallying cry to West Sussex residents to save West Sussex from being split into two separate councils.
The Government have instigated top-down reforms of local government structure, in which many advocate splitting the existing West Sussex County Council into two separate organisations. An official consultation ends this coming Sunday, the 11th January which is why the MP is calling for people to act today.
The MP highlights the lack of awareness of this potential change amongst ordinary residents as well as the real problems on issues like school choice, road maintenance and social care from smashing the current unified West Sussex County Council into two. Describing the proposals as a new ‘iron curtain’, he is concerned that this could see neighbouring areas receive very different levels of service, the limited choice of schools for parents leading to longer journey times for pupils, and elderly people placed into care homes far from relatives.
Andrew Griffith MP said:
“It beggars’ belief that the government thinks reorganising local government against the wishes of residents is a priority with all the problems our country faces.
Splitting West Sussex into two would be the worst of all options. It will cost ratepayers dear as the administration of schools, highways and social care will have to be duplicated. Like a new ‘iron curtain’ across West Sussex, it will lead to communities being divided with things like parents’ choice of a popular school or carers access to care homes being restricted depending on which side of the divide they fall.
“Residents only have a few days left to add their voices to those opposing the break up of our county for good.”
In his response to the government consultation, the Leader of the West Sussex County Council, Councillor Paul Marshall, has previously said:
“A single authority means less money spent on overheads and more spent on services like children’s care, highways and community safety as well as waste collection, street cleansing, parks and open spaces.
“We owe it to our residents to choose a model that delivers services efficiently, keeps council tax as low as possible, and protects those most in need. A single authority does that in a way two or more councils does not.”
West Sussex residents can complete the consultation here - https://yourvoice.westsussex.gov.uk/have-your-say-on-the-future-of-local-government-in-west-sussex
SHARE YOUR VIEWS WITH ANDREW GRIFFITH - COMPLETE HIS SURVEY HERE (Click to open)
