Unitary
Auditor attacks Northamptonshire reporting
Financial reporting at Northamptonshire CC was too ‘vague’ and lacked crucial detail prior to the county’s Section 114 notice, a new audit report has revealed.
Somerset prepares for war with Whitehall
Of all the causes of history’s major conflicts, local government reorganisation may not be one of the most common.
Somerset reorganisation would be 'dangerous, unwarranted and unnecessary'
Proposals to create a unitary authority in Somerset have been labelled 'dangerous, unwarranted and unnecessary' by one of the county's MPs.
Northampton unitary plan falls
The tight timeframe for reorganising local government across Northamptonshire claimed its first victim this week despite ministers’ decision to extend the consultation period.
MHCLG: A lot can be gained from unitary
A unitary structure could save money and improve effectiveness, top civil servants have said in their clearest signal yet of a Government view on reorganisation.
Affluent parents can 'undermine' abuse investigations
City of London Council will train social workers to deal with affluent parents after research showed they can use their status to undermine abuse investigations.
Noble ousted after raising unitarisation
Suffolk CC’s leader Colin Noble has been deposed weeks after asking think-tank ResPublica to look at the possibilities for reorganisation in the county.
Brokenshire announces Northamptonshire commissioners
New local government secretary James Brokenshire has announced the two commissioners appointed to help rescue troubled Northamptonshire CC.
Somerset suggests savings for unitary
Some £500,000 per year could be saved by moving from five chief executives to one, according to unitary plans laid out by Somerset CC.
Are there too many tiers?
The multi-tiered nature of local government is holding the sector back, argues Bob Neill.
Bucks residents back two unitaries - survey
Two out of three Buckinghamshire residents support a two-unitary option for the county, according to a newly-published telephone survey.
Northants crisis could halt Oxfordshire reorganisation
Plans to reorganise local government in Oxfordshire may be stymied by communities secretary Sajid Javid’s intervention in neighbouring Northamptonshire, senior sources have claimed.
Inspector arrives amid reorganisation pressure
An independent inspector today began investigating Northamptonshire CC’s precarious finances amid fresh signs MPs are pressuring the Government to reorganise the county.
Christchurch in bid to stop unitary plans
Christchurch BC has warned it could take legal action if the Government forces it to merge with Bournemouth and Poole councils.
Javid rejects DCLG capacity fears
Communities secretary Sajid Javid has rejected accusations that his Whitehall department is too stretched to handle devolution bids.
Why we need new forms of local government in two-tier areas
Fresh off the back of a new report, Cllr Martin Hill argues the case for the creation of county unitaries with a raft of newly devolved powers.
Counties and districts clash over new report
A war of words has broken out between the two tiers of English local government after a report said replacing district councils with single unitary authorities could save £2.9bn a year.
Unitary hopefuls outline transition plan
Four local authorities involved in a potential new Dorset-based unitary have outlined their work programme ahead of a government decision over reorganisation.
Unitary councils have 'manifestly failed' on diversity
Not a single chief executive officer at 50 unitary councils comes from a black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background, new research has revealed today.
PODCAST: People, passion and progress
In the latest Public Intelligence/The MJ leadership podcast Baroness Scott explains how Wiltshire CC has moved from an old-fashioned ethos to a modern business. Heather Jameson reports.