Reorganisation
Scrap all districts says Heseltine
District councils should be scrapped and 60 unitary counties created instead across England led by directly-elected mayors according to former Cabinet minister Lord Heseltine
The end of a beautiful relationship
It’s always sad, not to mention slightly awkward, when a couple finds themselves going their separate ways after the end of a relationship.
Northamptonshire intervention bolsters sector's credit quality
Local government’s high credit quality has been bolstered by the Government’s intervention at Northamptonshire, an expert has said.
On the road to reorganisation
After being met with opposition from local authorities in Wales, cabinet secretary for local government and public services, Alun Davies, makes the case for reorganisation.
Buckinghamshire districts could legally challenge reorganisation
Buckinghamshire’s districts have not ruled out launching a legal challenge against Government plans for a single unitary council, The MJ understands.
Welsh reorganisation consultation deadline approaches
Time is running out to take part in a consultation over proposals to merge councils in Wales.
Auditor attacks Northamptonshire reporting
Financial reporting at Northamptonshire CC was too ‘vague’ and lacked crucial detail prior to the county’s Section 114 notice, a new audit report has revealed.
Somerset prepares for war with Whitehall
Of all the causes of history’s major conflicts, local government reorganisation may not be one of the most common.
Somerset reorganisation would be 'dangerous, unwarranted and unnecessary'
Proposals to create a unitary authority in Somerset have been labelled 'dangerous, unwarranted and unnecessary' by one of the county's MPs.
Council pushes ahead with legal review of reorganisation
Christchurch BC has issued proceedings in the High Court for a judicial review of ministers’ decision to push ahead with local government reorganisation in Dorset.
Wrexham: Reorganisation not a panacea for austerity
One of the biggest local authorities in north Wales has vowed to ‘strongly oppose’ attempts to reorganise local government.
Singing from the same hymn sheet
Kevin Foster, David Kuenssberg and Sheila Little outline their hopes for a shared services partnership between Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and Surrey councils, and explain how brand identity is a vital thing to keep.
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.
MHCLG: A lot can be gained from unitary
A unitary structure could save money and improve effectiveness, top civil servants have said in their clearest signal yet of a Government view on reorganisation.
Noble ousted after raising unitarisation
Suffolk CC’s leader Colin Noble has been deposed weeks after asking think-tank ResPublica to look at the possibilities for reorganisation in the county.
Brokenshire announces Northamptonshire commissioners
New local government secretary James Brokenshire has announced the two commissioners appointed to help rescue troubled Northamptonshire CC.
Somerset suggests savings for unitary
Some £500,000 per year could be saved by moving from five chief executives to one, according to unitary plans laid out by Somerset CC.
Are there too many tiers?
The multi-tiered nature of local government is holding the sector back, argues Bob Neill.
Bucks residents back two unitaries - survey
Two out of three Buckinghamshire residents support a two-unitary option for the county, according to a newly-published telephone survey.
Northants crisis could halt Oxfordshire reorganisation
Plans to reorganise local government in Oxfordshire may be stymied by communities secretary Sajid Javid’s intervention in neighbouring Northamptonshire, senior sources have claimed.