Andrew Simpson confirms 'UDC will damage local democracy'

8.20.34am GMT Wed 3rd Nov 2004

Andrew Simpson backed up the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Northampton Borough Council saying "the proposed UDC will transfer powers to determine the development of our town from local elected Councillors to an unelected, unaccountable quango. Local people have not been consulted on the establishment of a UDC. Our Save our Green Fields petition shows local people have real worries about the development plans - but the government has simply ignored their wishes".

Lib Dem Leader on Northampton Borough Council, Richard Church, gave evidence to a House of Lords Select Committee opposing the creation of the West Northamptonshire Urban Development Corporation.

'The Borough and County Councils have failed to demonstrate any public support for the creation of this unelected quango', Richard Church told the Lords. 'The proposals have been steamrollered though the council, with the former Chief Executive, Roger Morris jumping the gun by proposing to Lord Rooker that one should be created without the authority of the council. Dissent and disquiet has been ignored, papered over to give a false veneer of unity to the Government.'

Even Mr Morris stated 'The deputy prime minister will want to be satisfied that the [UDC] has broad local consent.' That local consent is just not there, local people have not been properly consulted.

Richard Church has also contradicted evidence given by Local Government Minister, Lord Rooker, who claimed earlier 'I had had several meetings with all parties over this period of time'. Richard Church confirmed 'I have never met Lord Rooker and I have never been invited to meet him'.

Northampton Borough Council will have just one representative on the proposed UDC, but it represents 87% of the people in UDC areas. 'That is a perversion of democracy' said Andrew Simpson'.