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An autumn election could spell disaster for the Government's plans to create a set of new unitary authorities. Local government figures fear that the Local Government Bill, which includes reorganisation, could get caught in the ‘horse-trading' between the Government and opposition groups, if an election is called. Other elements of the Bill which could be jettisoned to pass it through include devolving new powers to parish councils, the community call to action programme, and comprehensive area assessments (CAAs). Bills also at risk: Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill (Commons) Sustainable Communities Bill (Commons) Local Planning Authorities (Energy and Efficiency) Bill (Commons) Disabled Children (Family Support) Bill Corporate Manslaughter Bill (Commons) Further Education and Training Bill (Lords) LGA chief executive, Paul Coen, said: ‘Clearly, if an early election is called, current legislation, including the Local Government Bill, will only be completed if parliamentary time permits and there is general consensus across all political parties.' Cheshire CC chief executive, Jeremy Taylor, said he thought the Government ‘would do its utmost to ensure as much of the Bill as possible would go through on the fast track'. But Mr Taylor said there was still a great deal of uncertainty about the secretary of state's ‘minded' decisions over Chester City Council, Bedford BC, Exeter City Council and Norwich City Council.‘We are expecting a period of negotiations if an election is called,' he said. ‘It would take some steady nerves in the Government to decide what is to be done in some of these cases.' He said additional financial figures about the two-unitary bid in Cheshire had highlighted the weaknesses of their case. ‘Frankly, the districts should come out of the bushes and say "game's up",' he added. A DCLG spokesman said: ‘Government business is continuing as usual.' Lib Dem LGA leader, Richard Kemp, has accused Northumberland and Durham CCs of ‘bully-boy tactics' by ignoring the needs of district councils as they prepare for unitary status. But Durham CC leader, Albert Nugent, said Cllr Kemp was ‘shooting from the hip without knowing the full facts'. An autumn snap election will also cause chaos for voters, with more than one million potentially left without a vote. The Association of Electoral Administrators has warned those who have turned 18, changed their details or moved house in the past couple of months may not be eligible to vote. Town hall election bosses are expecting to be asked to transfer data, which will be posted on the electoral register in December, on to a rolling electoral register to enable more people to vote.

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WHITEHALL

Election jitters threat to unitary plans

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