JGP News

A total of nine proposals for unitary status from local authorities have been approved by ministers, according to the Communities and Local Government department.

The local government re-structuring proposals will all now move towards implementation and the government wants to see all the new public sector unitary authorities up and running by 2009, potentially saving the nine authorities more than £150 million per year.

By replacing two-tier county and city, borough or district authorities with a single body, savings made by the authorities could be used to improve front line public services, reduce council tax bills or create new public sector jobs, developing flagship councils that will empower communities and their citizens.

A total of 16 proposals in 13 areas across England were initially submitted, with nine now selected for approval and an estimated 3.5 million people reside in the 46 local authority areas that plan to create eleven new unitary councils. The proposals have undergone extensive assessment against a series of published criteria, alongside stakeholder consultation.

Announcing the green light for the unitary proposals, local government minister, John Healey, said: "It will now be for these new unitary authorities to ensure they deliver these plans - empowering local people and communities, further improving local services, realising greater efficiencies and delivering improved economic prosperity for their areas."

Ministers are creating a new panel of experts to ensure smooth implementation of the plans to create unitary authorities, with representatives from network partners such as the LGA, local government trade unions, professional bodies and employers.

Local Government Association (LGA) chairman, Sir Simon Milton, commented: "The government has now made its decisions. Where unitary status has been granted, it is time to focus on the successful creation of new authorities."

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