The Norfolk district councils who challenged the Boundary Committee's recommendations in the Norfolk review have lost their case at the first hurdle. According to the North Norfolk News, they have wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds of council tax-pay

The Norfolk district councils who challenged the Boundary Committee's recommendations in the Norfolk review have lost their case at the first hurdle. According to the North Norfolk News, they have wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds of council tax-payers' money incurring not only their costs but three-quarters of the Boundary Committee's costs.East Devon District Council leader Miss Sarah Randall Johnson and her minions decided to follow Norfolk's example and also mount a challenge to the Boundary Committee's recommendation for a unitary Devon. Will they now re-consider this decision and stop wasting our money? They ought to do so, particularly given the findings of the independent financial consultants appointed by the Electoral Commission to investigate the financial effects of moving to a unitary Devon. In case Miss Randall Johnson has not read the independent financial report, it says the new unitary authority will be cheaper to run and the costs of transition will be re-couped in three to four years. At that time, council tax can be reduced.If EDDC continues the legal action in light of this evidence and incurs high costs, it will be irresponsible and a waste of taxpayers' money. This opportunity to give residents a greater say in local issues and reduce council tax should not be missed.For those wanting to read the independent financial consultants' report in full, it can be found on the website of the Electoral Commission.D Hill,106 Ashleigh Road,Exmouth.