What's next...
In January 2007, the Government received 26 proposals from local authorities who want to move to a single tier of local government. All proposals were assessed against a number of criteria that Government set out when it invited local authorities to submit proposals.
On 27 March the Government announced which of these proposals it judged had met the criteria and hence should go forward for consultation. The Government’s consultation paper is now seeking the public’s views on proposals which have been submitted.
What is the process of consultation?
The consultation will take place over 12 weeks with local and national stakeholders and will end on 19 June 2007.
If you would like to view the consultation document, click here.
If you would like to get more information about any of the other unitary proposals, follow this link to the Department for Communities and Local Government website.
The Government are consulting key partners and stakeholders that have an interest in the areas affected by the proposals. Government has also written to all local authorities in affected areas to ask them to bring the consultation to the attention of their own key stakeholders.
It is open to anyone to make representations to the Government during the consultation period, and the Government will have regard to those representations.
Following consultation period, the Government will re-assess proposals, taking into account the outcomes of the consultation and any further development of the business case.
Subject to the outcomes of the consultation exercise the Government intends to make final decisions by the end of July 2007 on which proposals will proceed to implementation.
How can I respond to the consultation?
You can email your response to structures@communities.gsi.gov.uk.
This e-mail box will be in constant use for the sole purposes of managing the consultation process and responding to queries.
Or write to:
Unitary Structures Consultation Team
Communities and Local Government
Zone 5/E8
Eland House
Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DU