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This provides an outline of the programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas and neighbouring unitary councils.
On 5 February, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon, wrote to all councils in two-tier areas and small neighbouring unitary authorities to formally invite proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR).
Areas will be invited to submit initial plans in the spring, followed by full proposals later in the year. The Government will then follow the established assessment and decision-making process.
The LGA has a strong track record of providing support to councils at all stages of devolution and LGR and to address specific challenges such as workforce implications of reorganisation. Our universal offers of support will remain available to all councils. To find out more, including about further specific and tailored support offers, we encourage areas to reach out to their Principal Advisers.
Proposal guidance
The Government states that proposals should seek to achieve, for the whole of the area concerned, unitary authorities which:
- Are the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks. As a guiding principle, new councils should aim for a population of 500,000 or more. There may be certain scenarios in which this 500,000 figure does not make sense for an area, including on devolution, and this rationale should be set out in a proposal.
- Prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens. Proposals should show how new structures will improve local government and service delivery and should avoid unnecessary fragmentation of services. Opportunities to deliver public service reform should be identified, including where they will lead to better value for money. Consideration should be given to the impacts for crucial services such as social care, children's services, SEND and homelessness, and for wider public services including for public safety.
- Demonstrate how local councils have sought to work together in coming to a view that best meets local needs and is informed by local views.
- Support devolution arrangements.
- Enable stronger community engagement and deliver genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment.