Unitary
Lessons for digital change from the new unitaries
Nine months after the creation of two new unitary councils in Dorset, what have been the lessons from implementing change programmes, especially digital change? Chief executives discussed the issue at a round table debate hosted by The MJ and BT.
Northamptonshire unitaries to save £86m
Local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire will cost just over £40m, according to the early official estimates.
Reorganisation in Somerset would 'cut waste and save money'
A single, unitary authority for Somerset would deliver a predicted saving of £35-£47m, according to research released today.
If wholesale restructuring is done it must happen in a manner fit for the 21st century
Jan Britton wonders what lies ahead for local government - and asks if the Government, ‘with its unlikely northern soul and mayoral roots’ will be the one to genuinely deliver on devolution.
NILGA in pre-election powers and resources call
Northern Ireland’s Parliamentary candidates have been urged to prioritise granting greater powers and resources to councils ahead of next week’s General Election.
A bandwagon that won’t stop rolling
The arguments for creating large unitary authorities have not been developed in an evidence-based way, say Steve Leach and Colin Copus. How can the persistence of ‘reorganisation by stealth’ be explained?
Sharing is caring
Kate Kennally argues that, for Cornwall to catch up with the rest of the UK, the Shared Prosperity Fund must do exactly that: share prosperity. But she says real devolution of decision making to a local level is equally important.
EXCLUSIVE: Single tier fear reignited
County councils are being offered the option of unitary local government as part of a devolution deal, The MJ understands.
Route to restoring local democracy in Scotland
The first article in this series set out the context for restoring local democracy in Scotland. Lead author Keith Yates explains what followed and outlines the approach to the 1996 reorganisation.
Unitary blueprint published by Leicestershire
Leicestershire CC has reiterated its support for a single unitary council to replace the county and seven districts.
Northamptonshire shadow elections set for May 2020
Laws paving the way for the reorganisation of local government in Northamptonshire will pass through Westminster this autumn.
How do you close down a council?
Two new unitaries – Dorset Council and BCP Council – came into being on 1 April this year. Mike Harries looks at how to successfully close down a council, focusing mainly on the journey taken by Dorset CC as it planned for its own demise
Brokenshire in unitary unanimity move
Future unitary bids will only be considered if they are ‘coalescing around a single option,’ the Government has confirmed.
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.