Boundary Committee to advise on unitary proposals for Norwich, Ipswich and Exeter

Published	6 February 2008

The Boundary Committee has been asked to advise whether there could be alternative unitary councils in Exeter, Ipswich and Norwich and their surrounding areas, Local Government Minister John Healey announced today.

Government had previously announced that whilst it did not believe that proposals for unitary councils put forward for these areas in January 2007 met all its strict criteria, there remained a case for unitary arrangements covering the borough or city, and potentially the wider county area.

The Boundary Committee has therefore been asked to advise, by 31 December 2008, whether there are alternative unitary proposals that will deliver quality public services, value for money, stronger leadership, neighbourhood engagement and a broad cross section of support

The Boundary Committee has also been asked to advise whether there are workable unitary proposals that cross the existing Suffolk/Norfolk border containing Great Yarmouth and Waveney councils that would deliver real benefits for local people.

Given that in Devon there are already established unitary councils in Plymouth and Torbay, we want to keep the concept of Plymouth and Torbay. We are not inviting ideas initiating major change for these existing unitary areas.

If any of the Boundary Commission's proposals are implemented, the Government will ensure that affected staff will transfer to unitary authorities under terms and conditions no less favourable than those they currently enjoy.

We are also issuing guidance to the Boundary Committee which recognises it is for them to create any alternative unitary proposals through mature discussions with councils and others in each area, and that when doing this they need not incur any significant costs for councils.

Local Government Minister John Healey said:

"Having invited councils to come forward with their own proposals for unitary councils we believe that there is a case for unitary authorities for Norwich, Ipswich, Exeter and the surrounding areas. The Boundary Committee have been asked to advise on the possible options for effective unitary local government that will improve services and save money for local communities.

"Re-structuring is set to deliver over £90m savings a year in the six counties already going ahead next year. These can be used directly to improve front line services or to reduce council tax bills. It's right that we look at whether these benefits can also be realised around Norwich, Ipswich and Exeter, but only if the proposals meet our five tough tests.

"It is now down to the Boundary Committee to work closely with the local authorities and other interested organisations and to recommend by the end of this year the most effective and practical course of action for each individual area.

"I also want to reassure staff, who need to continue delivering high-quality public services for their area during this period. If any changes are implemented, their current terms and conditions will be protected when they transfer to any new council."

Notes to editors

1. The Secretary of State is acting under new powers (section 4) in the Local Government and Public Improvement in Health Act 2007 to request the Boundary Committee to advise on matters in relation to unitary proposals received from Norwich, Exeter and Ipswich in January 2006.

2. The Boundary Committee has been asked to provide advice on whether there are unitary solutions in these areas by 31 December 2008. The Boundary Committee may provide the advice requested. Where it provides that advice, the Committee may also recommend whether or not the Secretary of State should implement the original proposal, and may make to her an alternative proposal for a single tier of local government for an area that includes the whole or part of the county of the authority making the original proposal.

3. The request to the Boundary Committee, and supporting Guidance can be viewed at www.communities.gov.uk.

4. Plans for re-structuring were announced as part of the radical Local Government White Paper in October 2006 in recognition that there can be difficulties in two-tier authorities to providing strong, clear, local leadership, and effective, accountable public services.

5. The move from two-tier to unitary authorities is expected to save over £90m million per year in Cornwall, Wiltshire, Shropshire, Durham, Northumberland and Cheshire, and will help to prevent the unnecessary inefficiency, confusion and duplication of services that two-tier systems can create.

6. As part of re-structuring the Government has insisted that any changes to future unitary local government structures must be:

affordable, ie that the change itself both represents value for money and can be met from councils' existing resource envelope; and
supported by a broad cross section of partners and stakeholders; and
those future unitary local government structures must:
provide strong, effective and accountable strategic leadership;
deliver genuine opportunities for neighbourhood flexibility and empowerment; and;
deliver value for money and equity on public services.

7. The current terms and conditions of staff affected by a transfer to any new authority will be protected in line with the principles of TUPE.

8. Local Authorities will be required provide the Boundary Committee with such information as it may reasonably request without incurring significant expenditure.