Unitary
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.
Government 'open' to receiving Oxfordshire merger proposal
The Government is ‘open’ to receiving a proposal for a merger of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse DCs, the already closely integrated Lib Dem-led councils have been told.
Basildon and Thurrock consider merger
Council leaders are drawing up a memorandum of understanding including the option of forming a South West Essex Council.
Councillors voice intervention fears
Members of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have raised concerns the authority could face government intervention over the performance of its planning department.
Taking control of the devolution debate
Seb Lowe says that given the preference of government for unitary councils, failure by district councils to argue a solid alternative rationale ‘will lead to the very thing the majority are fighting to avoid’.
Deadline day for reorganisation
Councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset face a nervous wait as the deadline passes for reorganisation proposals.
Let's grasp this opportunity to create One Somerset for outstanding public services
A single council for Somerset is the best option for the county, argues Cllr David Fothergill. 'On every test, it delivers over the alternative five organisation approach'.
Council grants managing director redundancy request
The managing director of Wellingborough BC is to leave ahead of the council ceasing to exist next year.
EXCLUSIVE: Shevlin suggests reorganisation alternative as rival bids threaten his council's future
A former chair of the District Councils’ Network chief executives’ group has suggested a radical alternative to reorganisation as battle lines are drawn around him.
Making Counties Count: Don’t they Already?
Steve Leach and Colin Copus argue a move to county-based unitaries would ‘draw local government away from recognisable communities and increase the drift to meaningless conglomerates’.
Reorganisation battle lines drawn over think-tank report
The bitter war of words between counties and districts over reorganisation stepped up this week as battle lines were drawn around a new think-tank report.
Jenrick dashes county reorganisation hopes
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick has torpedoed plans for widespread reorganisation beyond the three areas he has invited to submit unitary proposals.
Size isn't everything
If the advocates for 'big unitary' paused for a moment they may want to address the democratic challenge of creating too few councils with too many councillors, argues Paul Wheeler.
Three areas invited to submit unitary proposals
The Government has today invited councils in three areas to submit proposals for the creation of unitary local authorities by April 2023.
Unitary aims to set standard for devo deals
Buckinghamshire Council is to reveal proposals for a devolution deal that it hopes will become a template for non-metropolitan authorities nationwide.
Unitary 'mayhem' has failed to arrive thus far
The public may care often care a lot about key local services but aren't so interested in the structure of local government, says Ben Page. He expects councils' endless ability to just 'get on with it' on instructions from Whitehall will continue.
Williams in reorganisation rescue bid to Boris
The County Councils’ Network’s (CCN) Conservative leader has made a brazen direct appeal to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he seeks to salvage the reorganisation agenda.
