Unitary
Government brushes off reorganisation challenge
The Government is believed to have brushed off a legal challenge from Cumbria CC to reorganisation plans for the county.
CCN chair's devo pledge
The new chair of the County Councils’ Network (CCN) said unitarisation is ‘dead’ as the Government promises deeper devolution with more mayoralties.
County deals are ‘absolutely the answer’
Tim Oliver takes over this week as the new chair of the County Councils’ Network. He talks to Ann McGauran about devolution deals – and says unitarisation is ‘pretty much dead in the water’.
Through turbulent times – let’s celebrate leadership
Penna is proud to sponsor the Senior Leadership Team category as part of The MJ’s annual Achievement Awards. Julie Towers reflects on the impressive calibre of senior leadership demonstrated by this year’s finalists.
Is funding meeting councils’ needs on decarbonationisation?
Analysis by Nesta raises some questions about the effectiveness of competitive grant funding schemes to support local authorities’ role in home decarbonisation, says Madeleine Gabriel.
There's a lot to play for when it comes to delivering devolution
While Government has provided a strong steer on the basic principles of county devolution deals, it’s now down to local areas to build on this guidance and bring forward proposals in collaboration with partners, argues James Maker.
Ryedale DC rejects possible challenge on unitary plan
Ryedale DC will not explore the option of legally challenging the Government’s decision to replace North Yorkshire’s local authorities with one unitary council.
Devolution is back on the table
It's time to continue building strong partnerships across the economic, real-life geographies around which the Government can devolve serious influence on housing, transport, skills, employment, health and much more, says Cllr John Fuller.
Eyeing up the horizon on reorganisation
Heather Jameson looks at the latest round of reorganisation and asks: will it embolden councils to go for further restructures?
Jenrick announces unitary deals
North Yorkshire and Somerset CCs have been given the go ahead to become single unitary councils while Cumbria will be carved in two.
Surrey councils to share management
Guildford and Waverley BCs have agreed to share a single senior management team, including a chief executive, directors and heads of service.
Counties can do the strategic and the local
The strategic abilities of local government to deliver national priorities locally and the real localism counties have shown could be a positive pandemic legacy, says Cllr Tim Oliver.
Many residents recognise the benefits of a single unitary council for Somerset
The One Somerset model for a single unitary council offers the best chance of an exciting and vibrant future, say Cllr Fothergill and Cllr Faye Purbrick.
Winning support for local government reorganisation in Somerset
The leaders of the four district councils in Somerset reflect on a journey that has seen local people move to supporting a referendum proposal for two unitaries.
Heseltine: Metro mayors should make more trouble for Boris
Metro mayors should ‘make more trouble for the Prime Minister’ to deliver their plans, former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine told an online seminar on devolution.
Buckinghamshire’s break for success
Martin Tett looks at how Buckinghamshire Council’s unitary status removed some barriers to successfully responding to the COVID crisis and how it is now tackling residents’ mental health and wellbeing as it moves towards a greener future.
Controversial Somerset poll backs district plan
A controversial poll on reorganisation in Somerset has come out in favour of a district-based proposal.
On the right track in West Northants
Had the enormity of the task facing the new West Northamptonshire Council been set out as a business continuity exercise it would have seemed a bit far-fetched, says Rebecca Peck – but a bright future lies ahead.
County leader in planning power grab
A council leader has called for counties to be given planning powers for ‘big infrastructure’ as he seeks to break the deadlock with a district.
Parishes issue vote of no confidence in Hartlepool
Four parish councils have asked to leave Hartlepool BC following ‘several years of increasing frustration’.
