Council new name claims rubbished

The council could end up retaining its original name

People living in Northumberland have been assured claims that a change of name for the new unitary authority will run to millons of pounds are "rubbish".

In April 2009 the county and six district councils will be merged to form one authority.

A consultation is under way as to whether it should retain the existing name of Northumberland County Council, or be renamed Northumberland Council.

The council leader said that the name change would cost about £27,000.

'Emotive issue'

Councillor Ian Tompkins, Chairman of the Council, said: "Unfortunately there are a number of fallacies circulating in the public domain so I'm keen that residents and other stakeholders are equipped to make informed choices about what the new council should be called.

"It is natural that in today's global financial climate people are worried about costs, and this is clearly an emotive issue.

"However I can reassure residents that reported claims that it will cost £4m to call the new authority Northumberland Council are absolute rubbish.

"Officer advice is that the net cost of giving the new council a new name would actually be in the region of £27,000, out of a total revenue budget of £500m."

The consultation runs until 4 December and the result will be discussed at a full council meeting on 17 December.