Two flagship unitary Cheshire councils to proceed

Published	18 December 2007

Local Government Minister John Healey announced further progress on re-structuring today taking forward the proposal for two unitary councils in the East and West of Cheshire, to be implemented in line with the five whole county unitaries already announced, and a new consultation on proposals for unitary arrangements in Bedfordshire.

The number of councils in Cheshire will be reduced from seven to just two, under the successful proposal put forward by Chester City Council, Vale Royal District Council, Macclesfield Borough Council and Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council. It has been estimated that the changes will save over £16m per year, which can be used to directly improve front line services or reduce council tax bills. The new structures will also improve services, and strengthen both leadership and the involvement of local people in how services are run.

Detailed consideration has been given to both the single unitary and two-unitary proposals for Cheshire, which both met the Government's strict criteria. The two-unitary proposal has been judged as most likely to improve leadership, services and the involvement of communities. This decision confirms that the proposal for a single unitary Cheshire will not proceed.

Local Government Minister John Healey told Parliament today:

"The two-unitary proposal submitted to us following invitation has demonstrated through rigorous assessment that it can create flagship new councils improving services and opportunities for local people, and bringing potential savings for council tax payers.

"These two new authorities must now be allowed to make that those benefits reality and establish their own democratic legitimacy. Central Government's job is to let them get on and deliver, whilst ensuring important protections for staff."

The Government will ensure that all staff are treated as if the TUPE regulations applied. Staff will therefore enjoy terms and conditions on transfer that are no less favourable than immediately beforehand, and trade unions will be involved and consulted in staffing decisions.

We expect that the appointment of the new unitary councils' chief executives will be by open competition. We also expect all the new unitary councils to approach their senior appointments on the basis of creating a fresh senior management team fit to lead the new council in its new role.

The Government also invited further proposals for re-structuring for the remaining area of Bedfordshire on 17 November following the decision that it was minded to implement Bedford Borough Council's proposal. A consultation on further proposals received by Mid and South Bedfordshire District Councils will be published tomorrow.

Notes to editors

We intend to lay an implementation order in the New Year which will then be subject to debate in both Houses of Parliament. It is our intention that the new unitaries will be established on 1 April 2009, along with the five other whole county unitaries announced earlier this month.

A consultation document including consultation on a joint proposal received by Mid and South Bedfordshire District Councils for unitary status in the remaining area of Bedfordshire will be published tomorrow. Ministers are yet to assess this new proposal, and decisions will be taken following the consultation period.