Unitary
Devolution is back on the table
It's time to continue building strong partnerships across the economic, real-life geographies around which the Government can devolve serious influence on housing, transport, skills, employment, health and much more, says Cllr John Fuller.
Eyeing up the horizon on reorganisation
Heather Jameson looks at the latest round of reorganisation and asks: will it embolden councils to go for further restructures?
Jenrick announces unitary deals
North Yorkshire and Somerset CCs have been given the go ahead to become single unitary councils while Cumbria will be carved in two.
Surrey councils to share management
Guildford and Waverley BCs have agreed to share a single senior management team, including a chief executive, directors and heads of service.
Counties can do the strategic and the local
The strategic abilities of local government to deliver national priorities locally and the real localism counties have shown could be a positive pandemic legacy, says Cllr Tim Oliver.
Many residents recognise the benefits of a single unitary council for Somerset
The One Somerset model for a single unitary council offers the best chance of an exciting and vibrant future, say Cllr Fothergill and Cllr Faye Purbrick.
Winning support for local government reorganisation in Somerset
The leaders of the four district councils in Somerset reflect on a journey that has seen local people move to supporting a referendum proposal for two unitaries.
Heseltine: Metro mayors should make more trouble for Boris
Metro mayors should ‘make more trouble for the Prime Minister’ to deliver their plans, former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine told an online seminar on devolution.
Buckinghamshire’s break for success
Martin Tett looks at how Buckinghamshire Council’s unitary status removed some barriers to successfully responding to the COVID crisis and how it is now tackling residents’ mental health and wellbeing as it moves towards a greener future.
Controversial Somerset poll backs district plan
A controversial poll on reorganisation in Somerset has come out in favour of a district-based proposal.
On the right track in West Northants
Had the enormity of the task facing the new West Northamptonshire Council been set out as a business continuity exercise it would have seemed a bit far-fetched, says Rebecca Peck – but a bright future lies ahead.
County leader in planning power grab
A council leader has called for counties to be given planning powers for ‘big infrastructure’ as he seeks to break the deadlock with a district.
Parishes issue vote of no confidence in Hartlepool
Four parish councils have asked to leave Hartlepool BC following ‘several years of increasing frustration’.
Devolution evolution must continue in Cornwall
Cornwall needs more devolution in order to progress with laying the foundations for regions to power the UK’s carbon zero economy and to stimulate renewal, says Cllr Julian German.
Devolution call in business leaders' blueprint
Top business leaders have issued a blueprint for recovery that includes more devolved powers for metro mayors, unitaries and counties, and rebranded local enterprise partnerships (LEPs).
Problematic predictions
Paul Wheeler looks at how the Super Thursday electoral feast is shaping up. He highlights the key trends that are marking these ‘postal vote elections’.
Reorganisation being 'rushed through in pandemic'
The current local government reorganisation process is being ‘rushed through in a pandemic,’ a shadow minister has said.
Pushing for influence on the national stage
Heather Jameson talks to chief executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Graham Farrant, about the outlook for local communities and economies two years on from the birth of the new unitary.
DCN bids to attract unitaries with new offer
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) will create a new category of membership in a bid to keep new unitaries within the association, The MJ has learnt.
Surrey boroughs consider merger
Guildford and Waverley BCs are looking to combine management teams and services in a move driven by ‘brutal’ funding cuts.
