Sir Michael Lyons has put a dampener on the current flurry of bids for unitary status by warning against an ‘open house’ for large-scale reorganisation.
His comments, made 24 hours after he was given a new set of criteria for his ongoing review, will be studied closely by minister Ruth Kelly because of his closeness to Chancellor Gordon Brown.
Mr Brown, who is hoping to succeed Tony Blair at Number 10, asked Sir Michael to extend his review to March, so he could study the impact on local government of the Eddington, Barker and Leitch reviews (see page 3).
The day after the announcement last week, Sir Michael publicly laid into two-tier councils for ‘forming a giant queue to press their case for unitary status in typical combative fashion, even without any evidence of public support’.
Speaking at a SOLACE Commons reception, Sir Michael added that in some metropolitan areas ‘such as Bradford, Birmingham and Leeds, they are actually working out the benefits of having two tiers’.
Sir Michael later told The MJ: ‘The clear message in the White Paper was that the invites for unitaries was not a general reorganisation proposal for all but only for a few with a strong case. It’s disappointing that so many councils have disregarded this as if it’s open house.’
He insisted, however, that in his March report, he would examine the benefits of enhanced two-tier working, not comment on the unitary bids, the successful ones of which will be announced the same month, and finally decided on in June.
He added: ‘I’m not trying to insert myself into Ms Kelly’s agenda.’
Sir Michael Lyon’s comments come as more local authorities show their hand in the unitary race.
South Ribble BC voted last week to abandon plans for unitary status after a lengthy public consultation.
Lancaster City Council has launched a bid for unitary status, which it claims could ease the burden on the county council. Chief executive, Mark Cullinan, said Lancashire had 12 districts when no other northern county had more than seven. ‘We’ve long thought that the Lancashire CC area is too big to meet the needs of its communities,’ he said.
Burnley BC has announced it is in talks with Pendle BC over a joint unitary bid, and Lancashire CC leader Hazel Harding has written to all 12 district councils asking them to work together on an enhanced two-tier structure.
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