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Unitary Councils: Powers

Asked by Mr Clive BettsLabourMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 8 January 2025UIN 21265

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what extra (a) powers and (b) responsibilities she plans to give unitary councils.

Answered by Jim McMahon

As set out in the English Devolution White Paper, councils need to be empowered to take the right decisions to drive growth and improve services. This is an ongoing process but among our immediate steps to end micromanagement is working with the sector to review requirements for local authorities to seek Secretaries’ of State consents for the use of their powers and removing these requirements unless absolutely necessary. This will apply to all local authorities as we receive proposals from all two-tier areas for reorganisation, as set out in the White Paper.

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