Reorganisation
Bucks residents back two unitaries - survey
Two out of three Buckinghamshire residents support a two-unitary option for the county, according to a newly-published telephone survey.
Northants crisis could halt Oxfordshire reorganisation
Plans to reorganise local government in Oxfordshire may be stymied by communities secretary Sajid Javid’s intervention in neighbouring Northamptonshire, senior sources have claimed.
Council forced to exhaust reserves
Troubled Northamptonshire CC has taken a ‘last resort’ decision to exhaust its entire reserves as it struggles to agree a legal budget for 2018/19.
Northamptonshire: MHCLG letter details intervention
Northamptonshire CC will continue to make most day-to-day decisions over how the county is run, despite heavy oversight from two government-appointed commissioners that could last three years.
Javid plans intervention into crisis-hit Northants
Local government secretary Sajid Javid has bowed to the inevitable and outlined plans for commissioners to run Northamptonshire CC amid concerns over the county’s sustainability.
Javid gives full backing to Somerset merger
A new council following the merger of West Somerset DC and Taunton Deane BC could be established by April 2019 after Government backed the move.
Welsh Government in new push for larger councils
Local government in Wales is facing a radical overhaul, with ministers consulting on plans to create ‘larger, stronger councils’.
Ashes to Aylesbury
Ch-ch-ch-changes are afoot in Buckinghamshire – in more ways than one.
Districts committed to contest single unitary
Buckinghamshire districts have vowed to fight plans for a single unitary council for the county after they were backed by local government secretary Sajid Javid.
Caller calls for council commissioners and carve-up
The inspector appointed by the Government to review Northamptonshire CC’s governance has suggested that commissioners should be appointed and two unitaries created, prompting the immediate resignation of leader, Cllr Heather Smith.
Return of the unitary bandwagon
Evidence concludes that the case for moving from a two-tier system to a unitary model could not be sustained. So, argue Professors Steve Leach and Colin Copus, why is Whitehall looking at this option for Northamptonshire?
Javid backs county unitary in Buckinghamshire
Local government secretary Sajid Javid has backed a single unitary council for Buckinghamshire.
Council scraps chief's role as part of transformation
Shepway DC is scrapping the role of chief executive as part of a transformation project that aims to streamline and reshape the council.
Javid confirms Dorset reorganisation plans
The Government has given the green light to ‘historic’ reorganisation plans in Dorset.
Reorganisation in counties must be based on evidence
Reorganisation may be part of the future of local government in two–tier counties, but it will only deliver long-term sustainability if it is built around evidence, not short-term fixes, argues James Maker.
Auditor in 'unlawful' budget warning
Crisis-hit Northamptonshire CC was this week told to rip up its 2018/19 budget after auditors warned it could be unlawful.
Raft of cuts after first Section 114 in almost 20 years
The stark reality of the financial cliff-edge facing Northamptonshire CC has this week been revealed by its budget plan.
Super councils get the go-ahead
Communities secretary Sajid Javid has given the go-ahead to create two new ‘super districts’ with the councils in Suffolk.
Porter: Play nicely or Government will impose reorganisation
The chairman of the Local Government Association, Lord Porter, has warned the sector to 'stop fighting and play nicely' or Whitehall will impose reorganisation.
Tory MP in call for Northamptonshire governance changes
A Northamptonshire MP has called for the immediate abolition of the county council’s cabinet and its replacement with a committee-led system of governance.