Councils undergoing local government reorganization (LGR) will require consent from successor councils for decisions relating to ‘significant’ or ‘local assets’, according to new guidance.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government said local authorities must seek ‘written consent from the successor council’ for land disposals worth more than £100,000, entering contracts of more than £1,000,000 for capital and more than £100,000 for non-capital (whole life costs).
This is based on previous precedents and aimed at ensuring new agreements will not ‘fetter’ the future decisions of new councils.
The explanatory note also said to ensure a ‘smooth’ changeover and continuity in service delivery, ‘local communication’ is also important to ensure the ‘future sustainability of new councils’.