Dan Peters 09 October 2020

Three areas invited to submit unitary proposals

The Government has today invited councils in three areas to submit proposals for the creation of unitary local authorities by April 2023.

It said invitations were being issued to councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset as these three areas were ‘advanced in their discussions about local government restructuring’.

The Government said local government secretary Robert Jenrick would consider all proposals received ‘against the longstanding criteria for unitarisation’ that has been in place since 2010 before deciding which, if any, to implement.

Criteria for successful proposals are that they should ‘improve’ an area’s local government, ‘command a good deal of local support across the area’ and cover an area that provides a ‘credible geography’.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the size of any unitary council would be considered, but ‘should always take into account local identity and local geography, as well as economies of scale’.

It said moving to a unitary structure ‘can improve decision-making and deliver value for money for local residents’ but added councils could also opt for ‘different administrative reforms including merging district councils, joint committees, adopting joint plans, sharing back-office services, special purpose vehicles to promote regeneration or delivering cost-savings through efficiency measures’.

Mr Jenrick said: ‘Where there is local support, changing the structure of local government can offer better value for money and improved services for residents.

'We have always been clear that any restructuring of local government must continue to be locally-led and will not involve top-down solutions from government.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Locum Principal Litigation Lawyer - EFDC

Essex County Council
£55.0000 - £60.0000 per hour
Epping Forest District Council - Legal Services Locum Principal Litigation Lawyer - Epping Forest District Council £55-£60 per Hour, Umbrella dependa England, Essex
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Principal Litigation Lawyer - Epping Forest District Council

Essex County Council
£59839.0000 - £62272.0000 per annum
Epping Forest District Council - Legal Services Principal Litigation Lawyer - Epping Forest District Council Up to £62,272 per annum inclusive of fr England, Essex
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Oxfordshire County Council
£62215 - £72293
How about joining The Clinical Team at Oxfordshire County Council in our new Community Family Clinic initiative? Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,415.00 - £16,675.23 Grade 4, 24.5 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner