Unitary
Call to scrap two-tier local government system in rural areas
The ‘confusing' two-tier model of local government should be abolished and replaced with single unitary councils, a report has argued today.
Ministers to receive Somerset unitary business case
A business case for a single Somerset unitary has been sent to communities secretary Robert Jenrick and local government minister Simon Clarke.
Plan to hand social care to NHS is for ‘wrong reasons’
Plans to hand social care to the NHS are being mooted for ‘all the wrong reasons,’ local government finance expert Rob Whiteman has said.
Keeping business locked up during lockdown
Tony Ellis describes how the pandemic brought unique challenges to the task of ensuring cyber security at England's newest council was robust enough for launch day.
Williams: I'll accept whatever it takes to get a county unitary
The leader of Hertfordshire CC has conceded he would accept a directly-elected mayor as the figurehead for a county unitary in order to secure reorganisation.
Reorganisation will deter potential councillors, report warns
Local government unitary reorganisation will slash the number of councillors and deter many from standing for election, a report for the District Councils’ Network (DCN) has warned.
Enjoy summer as it’s not looking good for the rest of the year
The Government seems to have fallen in love with the idea of big unitary councils and elected mayors, says Paul Wheeler. But this enthusiasm for re-organisation is grim news for the multitude of mainly Conservative district councils, he adds.
County unitary plan timing 'poor'
Hertfordshire’s 10 district and borough leaders have hit out against county council plans for a single unitary covering 1.2m residents.
Somerset unitary plan 'too big'
South Somerset DC councillors have claimed proposals for a single county unitary are based on ‘failed examples of local government’.
Clarke: Unitarisation vital first step in mayoral talks
Unitarisation of councils will be a ‘vital first step’ for negotiating a series of new mayors within the next decade, local government minister Simon Clarke has said.
Rugby kicks off unitary review
Rugby BC is expected to invite its neighbouring Warwickshire councils to jointly commission a review of future structures and powers in the county.
Sector faces 'battle royal' over reorganisation
Local government has been warned it faces a ‘battle royal’ with ministers appearing determined to force through reorganisation.
District leader hits out against 'super-council'
A district council leader has rebuffed the idea of a unitary council for North Yorkshire covering a population of more than 600,000 people.
Race for reorganisation gathers pace in Surrey and Somerset
The race towards reorganisation is gaining pace more plans emerging in Somerset and Surrey – while south Essex says it wants to keep its districts.
LGA shies away from reorganisation 'fight back'
The Local Government Association (LGA) has shied away from calls for it to launch a ‘fight back’ against reorganisation though senior members criticised any top-down approach.
Local government needs a reset
Local government lies at the heart of multiple emergencies, warns Heather Jameson. She says we need a new system of modern and fully funded public services, joined up at a local level.
Fresh reorganisation offensive leaves districts quaking
The County Councils’ Network (CCN) has launched a fresh offensive to rip up the local government map as the country emerges from the shadow of coronavirus.
Hand health powers to elected mayors, says report
Health powers should be handed to elected mayors as part of a ‘rejuvenated and fortified wave of devolution,’ a think-tank report has suggested.
Minister warns about council 'sustainability' after rebellion
A minister has warned Boston BC could become ‘unsustainable’ after councillors rejected sharing services with East Lindsey DC.
Northamptonshire unitary unveils top team
George Candler has been appointed interim chief executive by the West Northamptonshire Shadow Authority.
