Unitary Blight Continues

10.01.00am GMT Mon 9th Feb 2009

"It is hard to see whether the government is totally incompetent, indecisive or just clearing the decks for a General Election" commented Exeter's Liberal Democrat PPC Graham Oakes on the news that the decision had been delayed for a further 5 months.

"The government asked Exeter City Council to apply to be a unitary authority, then turned them down and said it wanted to look at other options and now claims it's made procedural errors and wants to consult again. If it wasn't so important it would be hilarious - a comedy of errors."

"Whilst Ben Bradshaw and his pals in Westminster play party politics local government across Devon acts under blight, making it harder to recruit and retain key staff. Hard working council staff have had uncertainty over their future for 3 years now and its time the government made a decision."

"If the government call a General Election this spring then it will be clear the decision not to decide on unitary status is politically manipulated."

"If the government have slipped the decision to July because of a technical error it will highlight an incredible level of dither and indecisiveness."