A MINISTER’S briefing to council chiefs has been described as a “complete cock-up”.
Local government minister Jim McMahon spoke to leaders and chief executives over a video call the day after plans for council reorganisation were paused by the government.
But Worcestershire County Council leader Matt Jenkins said the briefing was a complete mess.
MESS: Matt Jenkins said the briefing for leaders was a “complete cock-up” (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)
“This all came as quite the shock on Monday to all of us – I don’t think anyone realised this was coming,” he told a full council meeting on Thursday.
“I think to indicate what a complete mess [it was], we had a briefing on Tuesday – a Teams meeting with the minister Jim McMahon and all leaders, chief execs to explain what’s happened.
“They sent the wrong Teams link so there were over 100 leaders and execs sat in the meeting, talking amongst themselves because there’s no-one there.
“Then they sent the correct link, at which point when we joined – about 15 minutes in – the civil servant said ‘well thank you Jim for introducing that, any questions?’.
“I think that highlights what a complete cock-up [it was].”
Cllr Jenkins said when the meeting did get going, many leaders were asking questions along the lines of “we’ve spent a lot of money on this, can we have our money back?”.
He said that is something the council will “certainly be pushing” and indicated chief finance officer Phil Rook is already on the case.
“We need every penny we can get,” said Cllr Jenkins.
The government announced in July that Worcestershire’s existing councils would be merged into two unitary authorities, serving the north and south of the county.
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But those plans are currently on hold until the government completes its review.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has said the Government has “no excuse” for the delay to reforms.
A spokesperson said: “Councils across the country will hold different views on the local government reorganisation (LGR) programme, for what it means for their areas, and the announcement [the] review. But there is no excuse for the Government’s mishandling of this process.
“Councils have invested scarce public money and countless hours in the government’s LGR programme.
“People’s jobs, lives and wider commitments have been affected. Staff, councillors and their families cannot be expected to put their lives on hold while ministers undertake a review which is a mess of their own making.
“Particularly at a time when local services remain under real pressure, this is no way to treat local government.”
