MP Russell calls for Colchester to break away from Chelmsford
March 9, 2010 5:43 PM
Bob Russell outside the former site of Essex Records Office - one of many facilities in Colchester closed by Essex County Council
Colchester MP Bob Russell today told the House of Commons that Essex County Council should be abolished and for Colchester Borough Council to become what is known as a unitary authority, a council which is responsible for all local government matters - as is the case at Southend.
During Communities and Local Government Questions he accused the Chelmsford-based Conservative controlled County Council of treating Colchester - the only non-Tory council in Essex - with political discrimination.
Responding, East of England Minister Mrs Barbara Follett MP acknowledged the points Liberal Democrat Mr Russell had made, and indicated that Colchester Borough Council should consider making a formal request to the Government to issue an "invitation" to the Council to apply for unitary status.
Afterwards Mr Russell said he hoped that the Borough Council would take up the Minister's suggestion. He pointed out that Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, both with smaller populations than Colchester's 175,000 - had in recent years been allowed to break away from Essex County Council to become unitary authorities.
He added that before Christmas he had had a meeting with Local Government Minister Ms Rosie Winterton MP when he had expressed concerns at the way Colchester was being treated by the Tory administration at County Hall - citing as the worst example the proposed closures of two of the town's secondary schools, against the overwhelming wishes of the people of Colchester, which the County Tories had steam-rollered through.
Other examples were the closure of the Grey Friars Adult Education Community College and the Colchester Records Office, with the transfer of historic material from Britain's Oldest Recorded Town to Chelmsford involving people in a 40-mile round trip. He also pointed out that the County Council had been forced to admit that roads in North Essex had been gritted less than other parts of the county during the icy weather - "and Colchester's potholes are the worst in Essex."
And Mr Russell revealed for the first time the results of a survey held last autumn when respondents to a survey voted 79 per cent "yes" for Colchester to break away from County Hall in Chelmsford to become a unitary council.
"It is clear that the people, overwhelmingly, have had enough of the Tory-run, rural dominated, Essex County Council which discriminates against Colchester," added Mr Russell. "I do hope that Colchester Borough Council will now set in motion the necessary action to break away from the County Council and follow the lead of Southend."
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