More bad news for Yes

Support in shires lukewarm
Sep 27 2004
By The Journal

The poll showed greater support for a `Yes' vote in the counties of Durham and Northumberland, but even in the most supportive area, County Durham, only 34.1pc were in favour.

The most sceptical part of the region was the Tees Valley, where just 21.6pc of bosses plan to vote `Yes'.

In County Durham, more than two-thirds say they will vote to establish just one unitary authority.

In Northumberland, a slight majority favoured splitting it into two councils.

Durham County Council leader Ken Manton, who supports the single-council option, said: "With three local authorities costing £25m a year more to run than one, and three costing £12m more to set up than one, it is hardly surprising that businesses favour the one unitary option."