Parnaby: Is 'Hull-centric' boundary review really independent?

EAST Riding Council leader Stephen Parnaby has questioned the independence of the commission set up to look into the boundary debate.

A row has broken out between the council and its Hull counterpart over moves to expand the city boundaries, which Hull councillors claim would be more economically beneficial for East Yorkshire.

But Councillor Parnaby has cast doubt over the independence of the city council's commission of inquiry into boundaries between Hull and the East Riding.

He has also refuted claims an expanded Hull would be more economically beneficial for the Humber region.

Cllr Parnaby said: "Repeatedly, Hull City Council has stated that the commission of inquiry is independent and yet the obvious questions are not being asked. How was the commission established? How is it run? Who appointed the commission's membership? Who gave it its terms of reference? The answer to all of these is Hull City Council.

"As a result, the five options being looked at by the commission are Hull-centric in nature, with retaining the status quo not even an option for consideration.

"Again, I wish to stress the point that this council has not been asked to participate in the work of commission and has had no direct contact from Hull City Council on the subject of boundaries."

The boundary referendum and public consultation is taking place until Friday, September 26, providing an opportunity for East Riding residents to express their views.

The city council claims Hull and the surrounding region is being held back by tightly drawn administrative boundaries, but Cllr Parnaby dismisses this assertion.

He said: "Over the past few years, this council has worked together with others to secure a reduction in the Humber Bridge tolls and have helped establish more enterprise zones than anywhere else in the country.

"The Humber region has also done very well in attracting Government funding. It is also important to highlight that securing the Siemens investment was a joint effort by Hull and East Riding councils working together."

East Riding councillors have already voted to oppose any boundary changes. They have given the go-ahead for a referendum on the issue next month, which will involve 70,000 households.

But Councillor Daren Hale, deputy leader of Hull City Council, has hit out at Cllr Parnaby's comments, accusing him of being divisive.

He said: "Cllr Parnaby's talent for self-publicity is well known, but he goes too far in impugning the integrity of the independent commission and its members, seeking to drive an unnecessary wedge between Hull and East Riding councils.

"He and his chief executive have refused the offer from Hull to meet and discuss combined authorities and joint services and have continued to voice this opposition to both. They have also refused the commission's offer to take part.

"It is time to 'put up or shut up' and stop the scaremongering by raising the spectre of a return to the boundaries of the former Humberside County Council, which will be unfamiliar to anyone under 50, and by spending £60,000 of his council tax-payers' money on a selective 'referendum' where people have been given multiple votes with no official mark on."

Scenarios to consider

Five options are being considered by the Commission of Inquiry into boundaries. These are:

• Combining the existing Hull and East Riding councils.

• Keeping the two councils, but having a combined authority for certain functions, such as planning, tourism and economic regeneration.

• Extending the city boundary to encompass the city travel-to-work area.

• Extending the city boundary to encompass the contiguous built-up area.

• Merging the officer administrations of Hull and East Riding councils.

In relation to any boundary extensions, the East Riding areas affected would be Anlaby, Anlaby Common, Bilton, Cottingham, Elloughton cum Brough, Hedon, Hessle, Kirk Ella, North Ferriby, Preston, Swanland, Welton and Willerby.