Unitary

• Christchurch refused permission to appeal reorganisation judgement

  Christchurch Borough Council has been refused leave to appeal the judgement about local government reorganisation.

  

• Christchurch reorganisation challenge defeated

  Christchurch BC may launch an appeal after a High Court judge today refused its challenge to local government reorganisation plans.

  

• Nottinghamshire to develop formal case for unitary authority

  Nottinghamshire County Council has agreed to develop a formal case for a new unitary authority, saying it could save up to £30m a year.

  

• Parliament passes Dorset reorganisation plans

  Dorset council leaders have welcomed Parliament’s decision to create two new unitary councils in the South Western county.

  

• Council launches legal proceedings against Dorset reorganisation

  Christchurch BC has launched a legal challenge to plans for a reorganisation of local government in Dorset.

  

• Northampton unitary plan falls

  The tight timeframe for reorganising local government across Northamptonshire claimed its first victim this week despite ministers’ decision to extend the consultation period.

  

• Districts in Somerset hit out at ‘unrealistic’ unitary savings claim

  The district councils in Somerset have warned the county’s claim a single unitary authority could save up to £28m are ‘unrealistic’ and not based on sound analysis.

  

• Brokenshire announces Northamptonshire commissioners

  New local government secretary James Brokenshire has today announced the two commissioners appointed to help rescue troubled Northamptonshire CC.

  

• Scrapping six Somerset councils could save up to £28m says county leader

  The leader of Somerset County Council has launched a public discussion over options to create unitary local authorities.

  

• Bucks residents back two unitaries

  Two out of three Buckinghamshire residents support a two-unitary option for the county, according to a newly-published telephone survey.