Unitary
Cumbria continues legal battle against reorganisation
The county council is opposed to the Government’s decision to replace the county council and six district councils with two unitaries.
Let’s hear it for our unsung heroes
The people working within local government are very special indeed, according to Rachael Mills. She pays tribute to the way councils plan for the everyday and prepare for the unexpected.
Councils in £1.7m ‘amicable separation’
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has asked neighbouring Dorset for £1.7m to leave a joint services partnership.
Balancing the books in an uncertain world
The need to take difficult decisions and prudent financial management underpin Buckinghamshire Council’s 2022-23 budget proposals, say Rachael Shimmin and Richard Ambrose.
Government dismisses fears over reorganisation master plan
The Government has dismissed reports of a leaked version of the levelling up White Paper, which revealed plans to scrap two-tier local government in England.
Focusing on the future for counties and unitaries
Chairman of the County Councils' Network Cllr Tim Oliver says he 'could not fail to be quietly impressed about the energy and determination of our member councils to tackle the incoming challenges head-on' at his organisation's annual conference.
Cumbria begins reorganisation legal challenge
Cumbria CC has begun its legal action against local government reorganisation in the county.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils brace themselves for local government exit pay cap
Councils are bracing themselves for the return of exit pay cap proposals as Whitehall officials draw up plans specific to the sector.
Hampshire hamstrung by social care cost pressures
Hampshire CC has revealed social care cost pressures are costing it more than double the value of government grant and the council tax precept.
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.
