Northamptonshire's unitary authority proposals

I suspect there are more people with knowledge about the latest Love Island exploits or World Cup final matches than there are those who have been given information about the plans for local government in Northamptonshire.

In summary, central government has proposed that the failing county council - and the district and borough councils - all be abolished and replaced with just two, one-tier unitary authorities, responsible for everything from pot holes to caring for the elderly and vulnerable.

Arguably, it seems unfair that successful district and borough councils are being punished for what's happened at county council level, and the proposal leaves far more questions than it answers. 

For example, what is going to happen to the debts left behind from the county council - do the two new unitary authorities inherit this and start life from negative positions?

What about existing council house stock, particularly in Corby and Kettering?  Where will the new authorities be based?  Will there be job losses?  Will council tax rise throughout the county?

As far as I'm aware, and from attending the public meeting at the Corby Cube recently, Corby Borough Council is the only one holding a public consultation with every household in its borough, and sending out information and a questionnaire to ask what people think about this huge change.

Surely they shouldn't be unique in doing this?  This major decision affects everybody in the whole county.  It's not an exaggeration to state that this is probably the biggest change to local politics in our lifetimes.

An online questionnaire is available at www.futurenorthants.co.uk, but this is reliant on people being aware of it and being able to access it.

The Secretary of State's guidance states that 'there must be a good deal of local support for the proposals'. 

However, it's very difficult for people to give their support or otherwise if they haven't got the relevant information and been asked the question in the first place.

Why not carry out a postal consultation with every household in the county - surely that is the only fair way to ensure that everyone in Northamptonshire has the information they need to give their informed opinion?