Unitary
Unitaries are the best way to strengthen local government's economic role, says Lord Kerslake
The former head of the civil service Lord Bob Kerslake has come down firmly in favour of unitaries as the best model for a strengthened economic role for local government.
United view?
Chair of the LGA Lord Porter says the smaller unitaries have ‘probably a larger number of councils close to the edge’. But as Ann McGauran reports, it may be hard to generalise about the financial health of this ‘disparate group’.
Delay to Northamptonshire reorganisation welcomed
Council leaders have welcomed the year-long delay to plans to create two new unitaries in Northamptonshire.
'Endangered' district councils in uncertainty warning
‘Considerable uncertainty’ around funding from 2020/21 is having a ‘direct negative impact’ on ‘endangered’ district councils.
Government misses self-imposed Easter reorganisation deadline
Preparations for local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire are moving ahead despite councils continuing to wait for a formal Government decision.
Northamptonshire dithering could lead to reorganisation delay
A group of Northamptonshire MPs has urged the Government to sign off reorganisation plans for the county.
Councils to take legal advice after reorganisation review block
Two Buckinghamshire district councils are to take legal advice after their attempts to judicially review the reorganisation process was blocked.
Cost of Dorset redundancies to be recovered in 20 months
Nine proposed senior officer redundancies made as part of the creation of new unitary Dorset Council will pay for themselves in 20 months, it has been announced.
Berry encourages more councils to back east Lancashire unitary
Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry has suggested east Lancashire unitary plans would stand a better chance of succeeding if they were backed by every council.
Reorganisation pause after costs escalate
The leader of Northamptonshire CC has expressed his alarm at the ‘ever-increasing’ costs of local government reorganisation, which could put the 2019/20 budget at risk.
Lancashire lukewarm to unitary bid
Lancashire CC’s leader has given a lukewarm response to plans for a new unitary council.
Tory leader accuses Government of meddling
The leader of Wycombe DC has claimed Government meddling is making creating a single unitary for Buckinghamshire harder to achieve.
Gwynne could reverse Northamptonshire reorganisation
Shadow local government secretary Andrew Gwynne has suggested a Labour Government could reverse reorganisation in Northamptonshire if his party won a snap General Election.
Dorset’s achievement in a world transformed
Andrew Flockhart shows how officers and members throughout Dorset worked together – despite a host of challenges – to be ready for the transformation on 1 April from nine councils to two unitary authorities
Creating a new political dynamic in Dorset
The first chief executive of the new unitary Dorset Council Matt Prosser talks to Heather Jameson about the process of bringing three ‘very different’ local authorities together to form one sustainable council for the future.
Making the most of our assets
Incoming chief executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Graham Farrant thinks his new job to deliver a ‘really modern leading local authority’ is the best one available in local government right now, as Ann McGauran reports
Buckinghamshire districts threaten legal action over unitary plan
Two Buckinghamshire districts have written to the Government warning they could launch legal proceedings over plans to create a single county unitary.
Buckinghamshire faces ticking clock to get unitary over the line
Buckinghamshire’s planned unitary council faces a tight schedule to get up and running as it faces continuing opposition from the districts.
Cabinet minister calls for rural devolution
Liz Truss has called for rural counties to get the same devolved powers as metro mayors.
Northamptonshire reorganisation 'driven by politicians' - Lord Porter
The proposed unitarisation of Northamptonshire has been questioned by Local Government Association (LGA) chair, Lord Porter.