Opposition's anger over merger plans (From Gazette Series)

Opposition's anger over merger plans

A MAJOR restructuring of the departments of Gloucestershire County Council, which consigns the environment to one new supersized department, has come under fire this week.

The new Conservative administration has cut the number of separate departments at Shire Hall from five (education, social services, environment, community services and resources) to just three (children's services, adult services and environment & community).

The new large environment & community department, responsibility for which now falls to the council's deputy chief executive, is considered by the opposition Liberal Democrat group to diminish the importance of the environment and they have called the decision in for scrutiny.

Cllr John Cordwell (Lib Dem, Wotton-under-Edge) said: "I am very disappointed at the Conservatives' decision. The Liberal Democrats in the previous administration placed the environment at the heart of all our policies.

"Environmental issues should be at the top of the politician's agenda, particularly in Gloucestershire where care of our environment is vital."

Council leader Barry Dare (Con, Moreton-in-Marsh), however, said he was implementing a quicker and smoother structure of government while not diluting important roles.

He said that far from leaving the environment with no clear leadership the move had given responsibility for environmental issues to the council's most senior members and officers.

He told the Gazette: "We have put the environment department in the hands of the most senior councillor bar the leader and the most senior civil servant bar the chief executive.

"I want the civil service to identify with the relevant council position as clearly as possible."

The Lib Dems, though, fear that the council will lack direction at a time when a multi-million pound waste and recycling contract is being awarded, the Local Transport Plan is being updated and the Green Belt is coming under ever-increasing pressure for housing.

Group leader Cllr Jeremy Hilton (Lib Dem, Kingsholm) said: "We are challenging this decision and asking the Tories to think again.

"The department needs strong leadership and tough negotiation to get the best environmental policy for residents in the county."

Peter Bungard, the council's chief executive, has expressed his own concerns about the restructuring and has recommended that the decision is reviewed within 12 months.

The scrutiny management committee was due to consider the matter at Shire Hall yesterday.