The Government has announced the creation of nine new unitary authorities as part of the local government White Paper.
The winners are Bedford BC, Cornwall CC, Durham CC, Exeter City Council, Ipswich BC, Chester City Council, Northumberland CC, Shropshire CC and Wiltshire CC. Norwich City Council’s bid was unsuccessful, but its case will be referred to the Boundary Commission, meaning the door has been left open.
A spokesperson for Norwich said: ‘We understand a boundary review will take about 12 months. It will involve agreeing exactly where the boundary should lie and, once determined, will decide on the number of wards and councillors to be elected to the new unitary council.’
Welcoming the decision to replace six district councils with a new unified council, Cornwall County Council leader, David Whalley, said: ‘Cornwall has been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape its future and create a new system of local government which will better meet the needs of every resident, business and organisation in the county.’
Wiltshire County Council leader, Jane Scott, said: ‘One council will bring simplicity, clarity and value for money – it will strip away layers of red tape and get the services and decision-making closer to the people.’
Announcing the decision on Wednesday, local government minister, John Healey, said: ‘It will now be up to these new unitary authorities to ensure they deliver these plans – empowering local people and communities, further improving local services, realising greater efficiencies, and delivering improved economic prosperity for their areas.’ The Government intends for the new authorities to be up and running by 2009.
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