From Peter Doyle, Exeter 380101, July 25, 2007

THE Shadow Leader of Devon County Council has warned that Exeter tax-payers may pay a heavy price for the City Council's flawed unitary bid.

Cllr John Hart said it was vital that the further work on the financial case ordered by Local Government Minister John Healey was rigorous and transparent.

Cllr Hart commented: "At the 11^th hour the Government's radar appears to have picked up the warning signals about Exeter City Council's high risk financial case.

"Hopefully the re-examination of the costs ordered by John Healey will save the day for tax-payers in Exeter. Because if the City Council's seriously flawed bid for unitary status does go ahead I am afraid that the people of Exeter will ending up paying more and receiving less for their money.

"It will be a heavy price to pay and it is therefore vital that this re-examination of the financial case is both rigorous and transparent."

Cllr Hart said the Government should pay heed to the strong opposition to the unitary proposal from public services, councils, voluntary organisations, business leaders and trades unions.

He commented: "Given that the Government said these unitary bids must command broad support from partners and stakeholders, I am surprised that the City Council proposal has got even this far. There is a 10 to 1 majority opposing the City Council bid from public services, local government, MPs, Trades Unions, the voluntary sector and business leaders. They know the real situation in Exeter and the rest of Devon, and they know the risks the City Council is taking, the Government really should be paying heed to their concerns."

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