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The UK government is set to propose merging district councils and introducing more elected mayors across England in a major redesign of local government. A paper, due to be released on Monday, will outline plans for combining areas currently serviced by smaller district councils and larger county councils into unitary councils. This would facilitate the introduction of more powerful local mayors with added planning powers, enabling the acceleration of new housing and infrastructure projects. The Labour party has also promised greater devolution of powers, growth in the economy and more housing prior to the election.
England’s current complex patchwork of authority arrangements has recently experienced significant changes, including the creation of 11 areas with combined authorities and elected mayors. One such example is North Yorkshire Council, created last year from the merger of eight councils to form a unitary authority. The new proposals represent a major shake-up of local government, although they extend beyond those outlined in the Labour manifesto. Half of the country’s population remain unsupported by a devolution deal, however, it is not clear whether the government plans to utilise legal powers to force local councils to combine or encourage them to do so through funding arrangements.
The Conservative party’s plans are opposed by the District Councils’ Network, which argues that creating “mega-councils” risks undermining local decision-making. According to the network’s Vice-Chair, Hannah Dalton, there is “little evidence” to suggest savings have ever occurred following past reorganisations. Meanwhile, the County Councils Network welcomed the idea of encouraging devolution and the creation of financially sustainable councils. The government’s plans are expected to include increased cooperation between councils on infrastructure projects; upper-tier councils will produce slimmed-down “spatial development” strategies.
The proposals, which may also include the abolishing of dozens of district councils, could prove divisive. The government hopes that merging authorities will create streamlining and produce savings as well as improved services. The Labour party views the overhaul as a means to make local government simpler and save money. These plans would not only necessitate a nationwide series of deals such as the North Yorkshire one but also go beyond current measures. The government’s overall timetable and route towards implementation has yet to be confirmed
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