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More unitary councils could be created in Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon as the pace in the latest round of local government reorganisation picks up. The Government has now published the terms of reference for Boundary Committee reviews in the three counties. The reviews were brought about by unitary bids by Norwich City Council, Ipswich BC and Exeter City Council, but local government minister, John Healey, said the reviews must look at the entire counties. In particular, the Boundary Committee has been asked to look at workable plans for a unitary which crosses the existing Suffolk and Norfolk border, and includes Great Yarmouth BC and Waveney DC. ‘Every option – including a single unitary Suffolk – must be fully tested so that we get the best-possible outcome,' said Suffolk CC leader, Jeremy Pembroke. ‘What really matters is not structures but people and strong, affordable services.' Norfolk CC leader Daniel Cox said his preferred option was also a single unitary for the whole county. ‘We think this would be the simplest, most cost-effective solution for local people and safeguard people's love of and identify with Norfolk as a county,' said Cllr Cox. ‘We think it's possible that two new unitary councils could, potentially, deliver against the criteria set and are prepared to examine the evidence with others, but we think that more than two would not be in the interests of local council taxpayers or Norfolk as a whole.' Tynedale DC has confirmed making a ‘golden handcuffs' deal with chief executive, Richard Robson, to stop him being poached by another council. The council will be scrapped next year when the Northumberland unitary is created. ‘The chief executive is subject to a retention payment, which was in response to him being shortlisted for a post at another unitary authority,' said Tynedale DC leader, Michael Walton. Bedfordshire CC has submitted its response to the CLG's consultation on local government in the county, claiming plans to create two unitaries will not meet the Government's five-year pay-back test and run up a deficit. A new guide has been published in east Cheshire, encouraging people to stand in the May unitary elections.

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WHITEHALL

Counties eye new unitary openings

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