William Eichler 24 January 2025

Districts warn against ‘mega councils’

Districts warn against ‘mega councils’ image
Image: Local government minister Jim McMahon © parliament.uk.

District councils are prepared to engage with local government reorganisation but warn against ‘rigidly insisting’ on a minimum population of 500,000, according to the District Councils’ Network (DCN).

A DCN survey of over 100 district councils found that 79% were not opposed to the principle of reorganisation. However, only 15% supported the idea of a unitary authority with a population of 500,000, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s preferred minimum population size.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of the respondents said that a unitary authority covering less than 300,000 residents would best suit their area, while 20% preferred 300-350,000 and 18% 350-400,000.

The DCN argues that unitary authorities with over 500,000 people – or ‘mega councils’ – risk overriding local identities and could limit the ability of regions and towns and cities to drive growth.

‘District councils strive to do what is right for their local communities. In many cases their judgement is that this means they should engage with proposals for local government reorganisation,’ said DCN chairman Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen.

‘However, district councils overwhelmingly believe that new unitary councils should remain close to communities and be smaller than the mega councils proposed in the English Devolution White Paper.’

‘Rigidly insisting on a minimum population of half a million is counter-productive,’ he added.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen also this week warned against creating local government ‘behemoths' overburdened with responsibilities.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term Time

Essex County Council
£25821.00 - £30377.00 per annum + + Pension
Makaton Tutor - Part Time / Term TimePermanent, Part Time£30,377 per annum, full time equivalent / equal to £15.74 per hour.Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Assistant Urban Design Intern

Essex County Council
Up to £25081.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Assistant Urban Design InternFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - Safeguarding Team

Essex County Council
£31931.00 - £36423.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Wellbeing and Independence Practitioner - ASC Centralised Safeguarding TeamFixed Term, Full Time£31,931 to £36,423 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Financial Strategy Manager (Revenue)

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Negotiable
Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we invest in our borough's future.Bring clarity to complex decisions and help shape how we inves England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

Team Manager - Locality

Wakefield Council
£55,979.00, Grade 13
Wakefield Children’s Services have been rated by Ofsted as GOOD with outstanding leadership. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner