Unitary
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’.
Devolution evolution must continue in Cornwall
Cornwall needs more devolution in order to progress with laying the foundations for regions to power the UK’s carbon zero economy and to stimulate renewal, says Cllr Julian German.
Devolution call in business leaders' blueprint
Top business leaders have issued a blueprint for recovery that includes more devolved powers for metro mayors, unitaries and counties, and rebranded local enterprise partnerships (LEPs).
Problematic predictions
Paul Wheeler looks at how the Super Thursday electoral feast is shaping up. He highlights the key trends that are marking these ‘postal vote elections’.
Reorganisation being 'rushed through in pandemic'
The current local government reorganisation process is being ‘rushed through in a pandemic,’ a shadow minister has said.
Pushing for influence on the national stage
Heather Jameson talks to chief executive of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Graham Farrant, about the outlook for local communities and economies two years on from the birth of the new unitary.
DCN bids to attract unitaries with new offer
The District Councils’ Network (DCN) will create a new category of membership in a bid to keep new unitaries within the association, The MJ has learnt.
Surrey boroughs consider merger
Guildford and Waverley BCs are looking to combine management teams and services in a move driven by ‘brutal’ funding cuts.
Government 'open' to receiving Oxfordshire merger proposal
The Government is ‘open’ to receiving a proposal for a merger of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse DCs, the already closely integrated Lib Dem-led councils have been told.
Basildon and Thurrock consider merger
Council leaders are drawing up a memorandum of understanding including the option of forming a South West Essex Council.
Councillors voice intervention fears
Members of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have raised concerns the authority could face government intervention over the performance of its planning department.
Taking control of the devolution debate
Seb Lowe says that given the preference of government for unitary councils, failure by district councils to argue a solid alternative rationale ‘will lead to the very thing the majority are fighting to avoid’.
Deadline day for reorganisation
Councils in Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset face a nervous wait as the deadline passes for reorganisation proposals.
Let's grasp this opportunity to create One Somerset for outstanding public services
A single council for Somerset is the best option for the county, argues Cllr David Fothergill. 'On every test, it delivers over the alternative five organisation approach'.
Council grants managing director redundancy request
The managing director of Wellingborough BC is to leave ahead of the council ceasing to exist next year.
