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Thousands of jobs will be protected by the Government when district councils and counties merge into new unitary authorities. The MJ understands that the Government will apply TUPE-like terms and conditions to all transfers of staff between authorities. Under proposals currently being finalised, all new chief executives will be required to be recruited via an open process, although ministers have yet to decide whether this will also apply to senior posts. In other developments, Congleton BC has announced it has a war chest of £150,000 to carry own its legal battle against reorganisation. ujThe council said in a statement last week it has received offers of support from other councils totalling £150,000, although it would not provide the names of the local authorities concerned. A council spokesman said an instruction to appeal against the recent judicial review was given last week and a ‘skeleton argument' is being prepared. A special meeting of Congleton BC is being held on 27 November, when all members will be brought up to date on the contributions and legal situation. The Association of British Counties (ABC) has called for several of the new unitary councils to be given new names. The body wants the new authority in Durham to be called ‘Central County Durham and Teesdale Council', and Shropshire should be named ‘Heart of Shropshire Council' or ‘Shropshire Heartlands Council'. Durham CC leader Albert Nugent said: ‘The association is entitled to its view, but the majority of people I speak with think of themselves as living in County Durham, which they are very proud to do. ‘The only redeeming feature the alternative ABC has put forward is that it would give us one of the longest council names in the country.'

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WHITEHALL

'Open process' for hiring unitary chiefs

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