Local Government: Reorganisation
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to ensure that proposed larger local authorities do not impact economies of scale.
Answered by Jim McMahon
The government’s long-term vision is for simpler structures which put the right powers at the right scale. On the 5 February, I formally invited proposals for local government reorganisation from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring unitary councils.
The invitation letter sets out the criteria against which proposals will be assessed in coming to a decision on implementation. These include the criteria that new unitary structures must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks; reflect local identity considerations; and enable stronger community engagement and genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment. As set out in the published criteria for proposals, proposals should be for sensible economic areas, with an appropriate tax base which does not create an undue advantage or disadvantage for one part of the area.
It is for councils to develop robust and sustainable proposals that are in the best interests of their whole area.
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