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NEW LOCAL

Unitary campaign gathers pace

The founder chairman of the New Local Government Network (NLGN) spoke at the annual meeting on 13 April of the Uniting the Conurbation campaign to create a unitary authority for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

The founder chairman of the New Local Government Network (NLGN) spoke at the annual meeting on 13 April of the Uniting the Conurbation campaign to create a unitary authority for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Professor Gerry Stoker, who is now at the University of Southampton, talked about the future of local government in England.

Campaign chair and former Bournemouth BC leader, Douglas Eyre, said: ‘What we really want to do is promote the discussion.'

NEW LOCAL

Dear secretary of state – part 2

By Steve Leach | 01 October 2025

As the new secretary of state Steve Reed settles into his new role, Steve Leach and Colin Copus tell him that now is not a good time for a ‘disruptive, expen...

NEW LOCAL

Outgoing DCN chair calls for genuine devo

By Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen | 29 September 2025

As he steps down from his DCN role, chair Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen reflects on four turbulent years, key wins for districts, and the urgent need to protect loc...

NEW LOCAL

'Devolution in name only': Lib Dem Vikki Slade talks local government reform

By Heather Jameson | 19 September 2025

As the Lib Dems head to Bournemouth for their party conference, local government spokesperson Vikki Slade – the former leader of post-reorganisation Bournemo...

NEW LOCAL

Levelling the paying field

By Martin Ford | 17 September 2025

With a host of newly-minted unitaries set to spring up around England in the coming months and years, Martin Ford looks at the thorny issue of pay harmonisation