Unitary
Nottinghamshire to return to reorganisation proposals
Controversial proposals for the reorganisation of local government in Nottinghamshire have resurfaced as part of work to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government should create unitary system, think-tank urges
The Government should create a unitary system of local government based on functional economic areas, a think-tank has argued.
A united unitary
Buckinghamshire Council leader Cllr Martin Tett talks about the successes of launching the country’s newest unitary council while tackling COVID-19 full-on.
Jenrick urges councils not to delay on coronavirus spending
Local government secretary Robert Jenrick this week urged council leaders not to put off decisions because of money in their response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Academics urge fiscal devolution
Experts have told MPs that financial powers must form part of the Government’s devolution plans.
Reorganisation fears overshadow devolution talks
Concerns over local government reorganisation are marring devolution talks in the north-west.
EXCLUSIVE: Rutland named strongest performer in adult social care index
Rutland CC has been named the strongest performer in adult social care using refined productivity metrics.
EXCLUSIVE: Councils call for say in devo White Paper
Councils are battling to ‘jointly craft’ the devolution White Paper ahead of its publication later this year.
Essex challenges evidence base for Basildon unitary bid
Essex CC’s leader has questioned the benefits of Basildon BC’s pursuit of unitary status.
Borough seeking unitary status sparks spending row
A row over council spending has broken out between a county council and a borough authority that is seeking unitary status.
Lessons for digital change from the new unitaries
Nine months after the creation of two new unitary councils in Dorset, what have been the lessons from implementing change programmes, especially digital change? Chief executives discussed the issue at a round table debate hosted by The MJ and BT.
Northamptonshire unitaries to save £86m
Local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire will cost just over £40m, according to the early official estimates.
Reorganisation in Somerset would 'cut waste and save money'
A single, unitary authority for Somerset would deliver a predicted saving of £35-£47m, according to research released today.
If wholesale restructuring is done it must happen in a manner fit for the 21st century
Jan Britton wonders what lies ahead for local government - and asks if the Government, ‘with its unlikely northern soul and mayoral roots’ will be the one to genuinely deliver on devolution.
NILGA in pre-election powers and resources call
Northern Ireland’s Parliamentary candidates have been urged to prioritise granting greater powers and resources to councils ahead of next week’s General Election.
A bandwagon that won’t stop rolling
The arguments for creating large unitary authorities have not been developed in an evidence-based way, say Steve Leach and Colin Copus. How can the persistence of ‘reorganisation by stealth’ be explained?
Sharing is caring
Kate Kennally argues that, for Cornwall to catch up with the rest of the UK, the Shared Prosperity Fund must do exactly that: share prosperity. But she says real devolution of decision making to a local level is equally important.
EXCLUSIVE: Single tier fear reignited
County councils are being offered the option of unitary local government as part of a devolution deal, The MJ understands.
Route to restoring local democracy in Scotland
The first article in this series set out the context for restoring local democracy in Scotland. Lead author Keith Yates explains what followed and outlines the approach to the 1996 reorganisation.
Unitary blueprint published by Leicestershire
Leicestershire CC has reiterated its support for a single unitary council to replace the county and seven districts.
