Government announces review of reorganisation programme: CCN responds
Today the government has announced a review of its council reorganisation programme, including withdrawing decisions made in March in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk - and reviewing plans for 16 other areas.
When the new administration under Andy Burnham's premiership took office in July, the County Councils Network called for a review of the programme.
Below, the CCN responds.
Cllr Sean Matthews, Chair-Elect of the County Councils Network, said:
“Since the reorganisation programme was announced, the County Councils Network (CCN) has been clear that it would support reorganisation where it generated significant savings, protected local services, preserved local identity and provided a strong impetus for economic growth.
“Many of our members had serious concerns and felt the decisions taken over the last six months would not deliver any of these aims – with the previous Starmer government shifting substantially from its own criteria to create new authorities covering populations of 500,000 or more. Others were concerned how decisions were made, the robustness of the process and the underpinning evidence.
“The CCN called on the new administration in government to take ownership of the programme – reviewing the decisions made and only proceeding with proposals that can deliver sustainable councils and protect services. We pleased they have taken ours, and our councils’ concerns on board by announcing a pause and review of the programme today.
“Many of our members will be relieved that the decisions they viewed as damaging to local services and financially unsustainable have been withdrawn or are being reviewed. For our councils that do want to proceed with reorganisation in their area, we will support them in their next steps and we will be seeking further clarity from government in the coming days.
“With the government clearly listening to our concerns, we now stand ready to work with ministers. Where reorganisation is desired, this review must ensure a robust, legally compliment process in line with the original criteria. This should include establishing realistic implementation timescales, and ensuring that any further decisions only create sustainable new unitary councils capable of improving local services. It is also vital that this pause does not mean the momentum is lost on devolution and rewiring the state, with county councils the vital building blocks for growth. Agreement must be reached by consent, and for areas that want devolution, government should continue with its pledged timescales of establishing strategic authorities in all places by the end of 2028.”
