FOLLOWING the advertisement by Durham County Council (Echo, May 24) entitled "Have Your Say", it would clarify the debate about a move to a single unitary authority if Durham County Council could supply additional information on how such an authority would make savings of £21m.
The advertisement says that the current system can be costly because of duplication of management teams. However, it is estimated that only 180 jobs from a total workforce of 22,000 would be lost. Not much saved here.
If the local offices around the county are to be maintained then there is no saving on infrastructure costs. Councillors are to be reduced from 375 to 126. A small saving here on councillors' allowances, but certainly not £21m.
But I fail to understand from the information given how a small reduction in jobs, no change in infrastructure, and reducing the number of councillors could save £21m. The public should be made aware of how the exact figure of £21m has been calculated.
Could the hidden agenda be a reduction in services?
Maureen Taylor-Gooby, Peterlee.
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