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Healey announces plans for unitary council implementation

Published	22 August 2007

Local Government Minister John Healey has today issued a discussion paper for local authorities on a proposed approach for the implementation of new unitary authorities in the nine areas where councils are now moving towards unitary status.

The discussion paper, Council's Proposals for Unitary Local Government: An Approach to Implementation, sets out the Governments views on how those councils, both districts and counties, should proceed towards implementation by 2009. Throughout the process, the views of local authorities themselves have been the driving force. The Government intends to make final decisions as to which proposals will be implemented in the autumn, and will then consider the responses of local authorities and other stakeholders and partners about how best to take forward those proposals.

The paper covers all the major issues for those councils moving towards unitary status including:

• Staffing issues such as, employment rights, staff transfers, equal pay and pensions;  
• Representation for the new authorities covering the appointment of councillors, shadow and transitional authorities, joint committees and election arrangements;
• Finance issues such as the transfer of budgets, liabilities and assets as well as arrangements for council tax and non domestic rates  collections;
• Co-operation and continuity including general approaches to local authorities working together, joint implementation teams, Local Area Agreements and Police and Fire authorities.

Local Government Minister, John Healey, said:

"New unitary authorities will deliver more effective, responsive and efficient services for their communities and save around £150 million per year which can be used to directly improve front line services or to reduce council tax bills.

"To ensure that the implementation process is as smooth as possible we have been working with a group of experts since March to help us decide how we might best implement change and are today publishing a discussion paper to seek the views of the authorities on the transition process.

"I am very clear that all authorities, whether districts or counties will need to work together in conjunction with their partners to make sure this process is as effective as possible and that all transition costs must be met from existing budgets.

"All authorities moving towards unitary status will have busy months ahead and have the opportunity to create flagship councils that will lead the way on promoting prosperity, empowering citizens and communities, and improving public services for over 3.5 million people in the nine areas."

Comments on the proposals contained in the Paper have been requested by 28 September. In the meantime the Government will continue to seek advice from the Group of Experts and do what we can to assist local authorities as they move towards unitary local government in their area.

Notes to editors

1. The discussion paper, Council's Proposals for Unitary Local Government: An Approach to Implementation, can be viewed at: www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1512366.

2. As part of the process of developing our approach the Government consulted those in local government who have relevant experience and expertise, including those with experience of previous reorganisations to help us develop this framework for implementation, and to provide advice on the practical arrangements. 

3. Since March this year the Government has worked with an Expert (Working) Group of key stakeholders. The group includes the LGA, local government trade unions and employers and other professional bodies.

4. This group has met three times and, together with a number of subgroups has considered the detailed issues that have led to discussion paper. The Department will continue to work with them and the progressing local authorities as we move forward.

5. The groups terms of reference are:

• To consider practical arrangements for implementing structural change, including arrangements for finance, staffing, continuity of functions and assets and liabilities, within the legal, financial and administrative framework described in the Invitation document issued on 26 October 2006 and which is to be established by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill, having regard to

• the need
  • to minimise any risk of disruption to the exercise of an authority's functions;
  • to reflect local flexibility wherever possible;
  • not to create barriers to transformational change and service re-engineering; and
  • to secure value for money for the local and national taxpayer; and

• the implications of change for staff, service users, and other partners and stakeholders.

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