Local Government Reorganisation

Posted in: Structures, Collaborations and Working Across Borders / Local Government Reorganisation

This project explores the debate around the right structures for local government. It addresses questions such as whether unitary or two-tier councils are the best structures, and particularly whether such changes should be driven by the centre or decided locally.

7 Articles

Crossing the border
[False, Apr 2, 2012]

Localis, in partnership with the Local Government Association, has produced a short report looking at shared management schemes between different local authorities. Covering issues surrounding culture, internal and external perceptions of mergers, and the potential barriers to success, it offers a g

Learning the principles of partnership
[, Sep 1, 2011]

More for less is something of a mantra for the government. No-one would suggest creating better public services while reducing the cost of providing those services is an easy task, but there is plenty of evidence that sharing services between local authorities is one way to achieve this desirable do

Alex Thomson talks to the BBC's Politics Show
[, Jun 6, 2011]

Alex Thomson, Chief Executive of Localis, spoke to the BBC's Politics Show (London) about the reorganisation of London's boroughs.

Video Blog: Localis’ Alex Thomson
[, Oct 15, 2010]

Localis Chief Executive Alex Thomson talks to Public Finance about localism and the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review

Going Local
[, Jul 27, 2010]

Every British citizen relies on his or her local authority to provide services in the most economic, efficient and effective way possible. Given the complexity and diversity of the services they supply, this is always challenging, but with the £6bn of public spending cuts announced in May, it has pr

One Tier or Two?
[, Oct 22, 2009]

A debate about the right scale for local government and reorganisation with contributions from a large unitary council, a small district and a leading commentator on international local government.

No More Tiers
[, Dec 1, 2006]

Tim Palmer and Glyn Gaskarth argue that there is a better way: an innovative model of 'federal' county government

Related Local Government News Articles

9 Related Local Government News Articles

New wave of city deals expected within weeks
[False, May 17, 2012]

The government is preparing to announce the next clutch of city deals in the next few weeks, LGC understands. Following a pause in the process while cities held mayoral referendums, a long-awaited package of powers for the Leeds city region is expected to be unveiled in early- to mid-June, alongside

Westminster launches consultation on new parishes
[, Nov 7, 2011]

Westminster City Council has launched a community governance review to look at the potential for establishing new parish councils and other additional forms of elected representation in the borough.

MPs clash over bill amendments
[, May 18, 2011]

Opposition ministers have made fresh criticisms of provisions in the Localism Bill after it started its report stage in the House of Commons.

Eric Pickles attacks council 'non-jobs'
[, Jul 6, 2010]

The communities secretary has attacked councils for creating "non-jobs" such as cheerleading development officers.

Council chiefs face sack
[, Aug 3, 2009]

Council chiefs paid as much as £240,000 a year face the axe under a Conservative government, after a senior Tory said the position of council chief executive should be abolished.

Unitary legal ruling favours districts
[, Jul 10, 2009]

Moves towards unitary local government in three county areas could be delayed after a judicial review came down in favour of three Suffolk district councils. The review concluded that the BCE should have consulted on further alternatives.

Conservatives reassert position on Unitaries
[, Jun 12, 2009]

In a recent letter to colleagues, Bob Neill reasserted the Conservative Party position on unitary local government. Neill was clear that they would not be supporting any further expansion of Unitaries.

Survey reveals low morale in local government
[, May 14, 2009]

Low morale, redundancy fears and staffing shortages figure prominently in a survey of local government staff published by Unison

Surrey pledge exec shake-up
[, Apr 23, 2009]

Surrey County Council’s likely future Conservative leader has promised a radical shake-up of the council’s executive should his party retain control of the one-star authority following the June elections.

• "Localis is fast gaining a reputation for pre-empting the localist agenda, producing thought provoking research and practical policy ideas"Anthony Seldon, author and political commentator
• "Localis’ commitment to decentralisation crosses party boundaries, and their research illuminates policy problems with new practical thinking"Prof George Jones, LSE
• "Localis offers a great blend of a passion for innovation, grounded practical ideas and unswerving belief in the possibilities of local governance"Derek Myers, Chief Executive, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

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