Council merger proposal
Published 25 May 2012 09:30
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INNOVATIVE: West Dunbartonshire Council says it is already embracing partnership working
A THINK tank has proposed merging Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale with East Dunbartonshire in a bid to cut the number of Scottish councils.
Reform Scotland is also suggesting that their powers are then boosted to revitalise local government.
It wants to see local authorities reduced from the current 32 to 19.
It would like to see an new Dunbartonshire Council formed, comprising East and West Dunbartonshire.
Reform Scotland argues that a "crisis" in local government was highlighted by poor turnouts at the May 3 elections.
Ben Thomson, Reform Scotland chairman, said: "It is certainly the case that there is too much confusion caused by the inconsistent number of councils, police boards and health boards, and, by making these boundaries the same and making local authorities more responsible for these essential services, we will take a big step in the right direction."
Commenting on the report, a spokesman for West Dunbartonshire Council said: "We support partnership working whenever it benefits the residents of West Dunbartonshire, and are already finding innovative ways of collaborating and improving frontline services.
"A great example is our Community Health and Care partnership with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. However, one of our strengths as an organisation is the ability to identify and respond quickly to the needs of our immediate local community, and this essential representation will continue to be required in the years ahead."
The recommendations were dismissed by local authority umbrella group Cosla and the Scottish Government.
This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 25 May 12
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