The future of local Government

A "VIABLE" proposal should the Government press ahead with local government reorganisation could be a unitary authority covering Epping Forest, Harlow, Sawbridgeworth and Bishop's Stortford.

Epping Forest District Council's Liberal Democrat group says the Stort and Roding Unitary Authority' would be a "viable possibility".

The idea comes as the debate continues over the future of local government, and whether district and borough councils should disappear and be merged into larger, perhaps unitary, bodies.

Conservative group leader Di Collins, speaking at the last full Epping Forest District Council meeting, accused the Government of "mischief making" by trying to set one council off against another. She described the talks which include no indication on the size or power of the new authorities as "the Government looking for regional government through the back door".

The Liberal Democrat group's paper on the debate said people were confused by the existing three-tier system of local government and the district would benefit from being part of a unitary authority.

It added that it was "probably unrealistic" for Epping Forest to try and become a unitary authority alone because of its size.

The document adds: "The transfer of some of the peripheral settlements to adjacent authorities might be a possibility but would probably mean transferring a very large population into the London borough of Redbridge and would leave Epping, Thornwood and North Weald in a very equivocal position."

The Liberal Democrats say combining Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford would achieve a population of about 260,000, but including Uttlesford would make it geographically too large. Epping Forest with Harlow, Sawbridgeworth and Bishop's Stortford would achieve a population of 250,000 and be more compact with reasonable transport links, the group adds.

The document states that an Epping Forest, Harlow, Sawbridgeworth and Bishop's Stortford unitary authority would "bring a single decision-making body with full powers close to the people and be as locally accountable as possible. It would be clear to citizens that there was one council serving their needs and interests".

Epping Forest Council's Liberal Democrat group leader Michael Heavens said: "This is an idea not a doctor's prescription. It's intended to start a debate, not finish it."

Labour group leader Joan Davis said: "We would like to see the end of the county council. We feel it is too remote. We don't feel we always get value for money. There's no direct link from most of the district to the county town. There's no direct bus you have to have private transport."

l What do you think? If Epping Forest District Council has to disappear, what should replace it, and with which neighbouring local authorities would you prefer to see it merged with?

Write to Guardian Newspapers, 8 Simon Campion Court, High Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4AU, or email djackman@london.newsquest.co.uk.

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