www.communities.gov.uk

Green light for five flagship Unitary Councils

Published 5 December 2007

Local Government Minister John Healey announced final decisions on re-structuring today taking forward five successful proposals put forward by councils for unitary status, alongside a timetable for first elections and a package of measures to ensure that they are all up and running effectively on 1 April 2009. He made the announcement in a written statement to Parliament today.

Councils who put forward the proposals estimate that the five new unitary authorities could save over £75million per year which can be used to directly improve front line services or reduce council tax bills.

They will create flagship 'New Authorities' leading the way on promoting prosperity, empowering citizens and communities, and improving public services for 2.1 million people. The number of councils in these areas will be reduced from 33 to 5.

Whole county unitaries in Cornwall, Durham, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire will proceed. The Government also remains 'minded to' implement Bedford Borough Council's proposal, and final decisions will be made once unitary proposals for the remainder of Bedfordshire have been received.

Proposals from Ipswich and Exeter have not met the affordability criteria. Both proposals will be referred to the Boundary Committee, who will look at the case for a unitary Ipswich and Exeter in the context of examining options for unitary arrangements in the wider county area.

In Cheshire, where uniquely two unitary proposals covering the whole county area meet all five criteria, the volume and detail of views and information received since July means the Government is giving the continuing consideration necessary to determine the best unitary arrangement. A decision on Cheshire will be made in the near future once this thorough examination has been completed.

All the successful proposals have demonstrated they will deliver strong, effective and accountable leadership, community empowerment, value for money and improved public services. They have also shown how the change to unitary structures will be affordable and supported by a broad cross section of partners and stakeholders.

The new unitary structures from April 2009 will be:

 Current area and structure

 New structure

 First election date:

Cornwall
1 county
6 district councils

 1 unitary council  May 2009
Durham
1 county council
7 district councils
 1 unitary council  May 2008
Northumberland
1 county council
6 district councils
 1 unitary council  May 2008
Shropshire
1 county council
5 district councils
 1 unitary council  May 2009
Wiltshire
1 county council
4 district councils
 1 unitary council  May 2009


        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
John Healey said:

"These proposals have proven under rigorous assessment that they can create flagship councils improving services and opportunities for local people, and bringing potential savings for council tax payers.

"They must now forge ahead to make that a reality and establish their own democratic legitimacy and accountability. Central Government's job is to provide the framework as we have done today to let them get on and deliver which is why we have put them in the driving seat for implementation decisions, whilst ensuring important protections for staff."

Every area moving to unitary status will be required to establish their own Implementation Executive drawn from all the affected councils in that area. Under the Government's devolutionary approach Implementation Executives will have flexibility to drive forward local decisions.

To protect staff that are affected, all employees of the existing county and district councils in post immediately prior to 1 April 2009 will become employees of the new unitary council, though not all individual posts will continue. John Healey today confirmed that staff will be treated as if the TUPE Regulations 2006 applied and that the Government will ensure that:

  • all staff transferring between authorities will enjoy on transfer terms and conditions that are no less favorable; and- trade unions are involved and consulted in staffing decisions;

The Government expects the new unitary authorities to approach their senior appointments on the basis that these are new authorities with new roles. It therefore envisages that chief executives will be appointed by means of open competition.

Notes to editors

1. Orders for the five new unitary areas will be laid in Parliament before Christmas.

2. The orders to create these new authorities will be debated in Parliament in the New Year and, subject to approval, the implementation orders will come into effect the day after. The five new unitary structures should be up and running on 1 April 2009.

3. Regulations will follow to cover staffing arrangements, finance matters and transfer of assets.

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