Council prepare for single status

A unitary authority would be responsible for education

Councillors in Cornwall have begun to prepare for turning the county's local councils into a unitary authority.

Some of the districts had waged a campaign against the single status plan, claiming it would not benefit the taxpayers.

But Cornwall County Council said becoming a unitary authority would eventually save taxpayers £17m a year.

Councillor Graham Facks-Martin said the meeting of the 24 representatives had been constructive.

The councillors represented the county council and six district councils.

Jobs concern

The district councils have waged a campaign against the creation of the controversial single authority - some making claims of it being too centralised and undemocratic.

A unitary authority will be responsible for roads and education, as well as leisure, environmental health and housing.

If unitary status is approved there will be a reduction in the number of councillors.

The public service union Unison has raised concerns about the effect the change could have on jobs.

Subject to legislation the new authority could be up and running in 2009.