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Local Government: Reorganisation

Asked by Kevin HollinrakeConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 28 January 2025UIN 26038

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 16 January 2025 to Question 22334 on Local Government: Reorganisation, what her Department's policy is on facilitating local government reorganisation if such plans are opposed by (a) the majority of and (b) all the principal councils in the local area.

Answered by Jim McMahon

It will be essential for councils to work with local partners, including MPs, to develop plans for sustainable unitary structures capable of delivering the high-quality public services that residents need and deserve. It is for councils to decide how best to engage locally in a meaningful and constructive way when developing their proposals. We will consult a range of stakeholders in areas where we receive proposals for reorganisation, as required by statute. I will write to local authorities in further detail, inviting proposals for local government reorganisation and setting out the criteria to be used to assess proposals, in due course.

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