2009 structural changes to local government in England

{{short description|2009 changes to the structure of state administration on a local level in England}}

[[File:Map of the 2009 structural changes to local government in England.svg|thumb|300px|Map of districts in England following the 2009 changes

{{legend|red|Two-tier structures merged into single unitary authorities}}

{{legend|blue|Existing districts merged into multiple new authorities }}

]]

On 1 April 2009 structural changes to local government in England took place which reformed the local government of seven non-metropolitan counties: Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, County Durham, Shropshire, Northumberland, and Wiltshire. In each case the government of the county was changed from a two-tier to a unitary system, with Bedfordshire and Cheshire being divided into two new unitary authorities.

Elections to the new authorities took place on 1 May 2008 for some of the new authorities, which took up their powers on 1 April 2009. In the remaining authorities elections took place two months later on 4 June 2009.

Background

Following the passing of the Local Government Act 1992, the Local Government Commission for England recommended a number of unitary authorities to be created in England during the 1990s. The changes that were implemented meant that much of the country continued to have a two-tier arrangement of local government.Sancton, A., Merger Mania: The Assault on Local Government, (2000) Further proposals for unitary authorities in northern England, tied to the option of regional devolution, were put to a referendum in 2004 and were rejected. In 2006 the white paper Strong and Prosperous Communities invited local authorities in England to submit their own consensus-based proposals for unitary authority arrangements, to be submitted before 25 January 2007. Selected submissions went to a public consultation from March until June, with successful proposals announced in July. Legislative requirements for implementation were in place following the enactment of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

Proposed changes

=Early responses=

Various local councils indicated their wish to seek unitary authority status. One town and three cities were overlooked by the 1990s review: Ipswich, Oxford, Norwich and Exeter{{cite news|url=http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5105 |publisher=Exeter City Council |title=Council Submits Unitary Case To Minister |date=2006-05-09 |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212041711/http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5105 |archive-date=12 December 2007 |url-status=dead }} proposed unitary status on their present boundaries, and commissioned a report jointly to press their case.{{cite news|url=http://www.exeter.gov.uk/media/doc/0/5/0604245FourcitiesINLOGOVreview_1.doc |publisher=Exeter City Council |title=Four Councils Unite In Bid For Unitary Status |date=2006-05-09 |format=DOC |access-date=29 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928094221/http://www.exeter.gov.uk/media/doc/0/5/0604245FourcitiesINLOGOVreview_1.doc |archive-date=28 September 2007 }} Norwich announced its intention to respond to the invitation,{{cite news|url=http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED26%20Oct%202006%2011%3A44%3A39%3A130|publisher=Norwich Evening News|title=City welcomes new council plans|date=2006-10-26| access-date= 29 December 2007 }} as did Ipswich and Exeter.{{cite news|url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=zNews&itemid=IPED26%20Oct%202006%2021%3A50%3A04%3A647|publisher=East Anglia Daily Times|title=Ipswich's solo bid sparks council wars|date=2006-10-27| access-date= 29 December 2007 }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/6090214.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=£14 m cost' of city independence|date=2006-10-27| access-date= 29 December 2007 }} In Lancashire, Preston and South Ribble desired to form a single unitary authority although Preston bid for it alone.{{cite news|url=http://www.preston.gov.uk/News.asp?id=SX9452-A7808826 |publisher=Preston City Council |title=Preston and South Ribble bid for the future |date=2006-09-01 |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080207000822/http://www.preston.gov.uk/News.asp?id=SX9452-A7808826 |archive-date=7 February 2008 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/5305622.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Councils to support joint venture|date=2006-09-01| access-date= 29 December 2007 }} The City of Lancaster considered seeking unitary status on its present boundaries (having supported a merger with South Lakeland and Barrow-in-Furness to form a Morecambe Bay unitary authority during the referendums review).{{cite news|url=http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/news/News.asp?id=SX7F1D-A7809355 |publisher=Lancaster City Council |title=Lancaster City Council welcomes Local Government White Paper |date=2006-10-26 |access-date=29 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160323/http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/news/News.asp?id=SX7F1D-A7809355 |archive-date=30 September 2007 }} Blackpool advocated a merger with the Fylde and Wyre districts, which they did not support.{{cite news |url=http://www.blackpooltoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=62&ArticleID=1876361 |title=Councillors' snub for "City of the Fylde" bid |date=2006-11-14 |publisher=Blackpool Today |access-date=29 December 2007 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Pendle and Burnley also tried to form a unitary authority with Rossendale; however Rossendale rejected this.

The Local Government Chronicle suggested that the non-metropolitan counties of Cornwall, Shropshire, Durham, Cumbria and Northumberland would fit the government's criteria, and that the government would be unlikely to favour carving out unitary authorities from existing two-tier counties.{{cite news |url=http://www.lgcnet.com/pages/news/article.asp?ArticleID=339290 |publisher=Local Government Chronicle |title=Only five may get unitary go-ahead |date=2006-10-11 |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080126100733/http://www.lgcnet.com/pages/news/article.asp?ArticleID=339290 |archive-date=2008-01-26 |url-status=dead }} Shropshire County Council, as well as two of the five districts of Shropshire, stated their wish for a move to unitary status.{{cite news|url=http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/shropshirecc.nsf/open/6735D40672F70A7680257213003E72FB |publisher=Shropshire County Council |title=One Council for Shropshire |date=2006-11-11 |access-date=29 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927082537/http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/shropshirecc.nsf/open/6735D40672F70A7680257213003E72FB |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/11/councillors-backing-unitary-body |publisher=Shropshire Star |title=Councillors backing unitary body |date=2006-11-18 |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127193012/http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/11/councillors-backing-unitary-body |archive-date=27 January 2008 |url-status=dead }} The issue was considered in Durham and Cumbria{{cite news|url=http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.990986.0.white_paper_paves_way_for_councils_shakeup.php |date=2006-10-27 |title=White Paper paves way for councils shake-up |publisher=The Northern Echo |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212090809/http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/display.var.990986.0.white_paper_paves_way_for_councils_shakeup.php |archive-date=12 December 2007 |url-status=live }}{{cite news|url=http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/opinion/viewarticle.aspx?id=428534 |date=2006-10-27 |title=Cumbria needs a unity of purpose |newspaper=The Cumberland News |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212003913/http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/opinion/viewarticle.aspx?id=428534 |archive-date=12 December 2007 |url-status=dead }} and the idea of a North Cumbria authority covering the Eden, Copeland, Carlisle and Allerdale districts had some support.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=429281 |date=2001-10-30 |title=MP backs council merger idea |publisher=Times & Star |access-date=29 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928055534/http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=429281 |archive-date=28 September 2007 }} The issue was also considered in Northumberland, with the county council in favour of one Northumberland unitary authority. Alan Beith, the MP for Berwick at the far north of Northumberland, suggested instead a three unitary solution, with authorities for the largely rural north and south-west, and an authority for the urban south-east (Wansbeck and Blyth Valley).{{cite news |url=http://www.berwicktoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=970&ArticleID=1855198 |title=Leader voices fears for residents with shake-up |publisher=Berwick Today |date=2006-11-02 |access-date=29 December 2007 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

=Consultation period=

On 26 January 2007, the government confirmed that 26 proposals for unitary authorities had been received.{{cite news|url=http://www.24dash.com/localgovernment/15788.htm |title=Twenty-six councils bid to become unitary authorities |date=2007-01-26 |publisher=24dash.com |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926234713/http://www.24dash.com/localgovernment/15788.htm |archive-date=26 September 2007 |url-status=dead }} Various county councils proposed they should become unitary authorities: Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Durham, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Shropshire, Somerset and Wiltshire. Districts seeking to become unitary authorities on their own were Bedford, Exeter, Ipswich, Lancaster, Oxford, Preston. Pendle and Burnley proposed merging as a unitary authority. On 27 March 2007, the government announced that the proposals by Bedfordshire, Bedford, Cornwall, Cheshire, Cumbria, Durham, Exeter, Ipswich, North Yorkshire, Norwich, Shropshire, Somerset and Wiltshire to become unitary authorities would go into the next phase, as would the proposal of Chester for a two-unitary authority Cheshire and by the districts of Northumberland for a two-unitary Northumberland.{{cite news|url=http://www.theinformationdaily.com/2007/03/27/woolas-announces-sixteen-successful-bids-for-unitary-status-to-improve-local-services |title=Woolas announces sixteen successful bids for unitary status to improve local services |date=2007-03-27 |access-date=29 December 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227092535/http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/10037 |archive-date=27 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}

On 25 July 2007 it was announced that the unitary proposals by Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset{{cite news | title = Unitary authority plan rejected | publisher = BBC News | date = 2007-07-25 | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/6915789.stm | access-date = 2007-07-29 }} had been rejected.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/display.var.1572139.0.worst_unitary_fears_confirmed.php|title=Worst unitary fears confirmed|website=The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald}} On 5 December 2007 it was explained that the unitary proposals by Exeter, and Ipswich, like those of Norwich (which were referred for review on 25 July 2007) did not meet the requirements to proceed; but may be reconsidered after the Boundary Committee has conducted a review of local government structures across the whole of the two-tier counties they are currently a part of.

A legal challenge was made by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and by Congleton Borough Council to the government's decisions, on the basis (amongst other things) that the reviews were made without statutory authority. The High Court and then on 4 March 2008 the Court of Appeal rejected the challenge, finding that the review had been legalized retrospectively.[http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2008/148.html Shrewsbury and Atcham BC and another v Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government]; [2008] EWCA Civ 148

Region \|\| Proposed by \|\| Proposal \|\| Result
class="wikitable"
rowspan = 5 \| East	Bedfordshire County Council	single unitary authority	{{na\|align=left\|color=}} Not proceeding
Bedford Borough Council	unitary authority with existing boundaries	{{ya\|align=left\|color=}} Implemented
Mid Bedfordshire District Council South Bedfordshire District Council	unitary Central Bedfordshire	{{ya\|align=left\|color=}} Implemented
Ipswich Borough Council	unitary authority with existing boundaries	Referred to Boundary Committee who decided in February 2010 that while there was support for a unitary structure in Suffolk there were divergent views on what that structure should be. Accordingly, they suggested the establishment of "a countywide constitutional convention to reach a consensus on a unitary solution".Boundary Committee for England - [http://www.boundarycommittee.org.uk/our-work/structuralreviews.cfm Structural reviews]{{cite web \|url=http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/localgovernment/1463780 \|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100304114510/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/localgovernment/1463780 \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=4 March 2010 \|title=Unitary authorities — Exeter and Norwich get green light; Suffolk to decide locally; no change for Norfolk and Devon \|date=10 February 2010 \|work=Newsroom \|publisher=Communities and Local Government \|access-date=9 February 2010}}
Norwich City Council	unitary authority with existing boundaries	Referred to Boundary Committee. In February 2010 it was announced that Norwich was to become a unitary authority in April 2011, subject to the approval of Parliament.
East Midlands	colspan="3" \| no bids
London	colspan="3" \| not affected by the review
rowspan = 3 \| North East	Durham County Council	single unitary authority	{{ya\|align=left\|color=}} Implemented
Northumberland County Council	single unitary authority	{{ya\|align=left\|color=}} Implemented
Northumberland districts	two unitary authorities	{{na\|align=left\|color=}} Not proceeding
rowspan = 3 \| North West	Cheshire County Council	single unitary authority	{{na\|align=left\|color=}} Not proceeding
Chester City Council	two unitary authorities: Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire EastChester City Council - [http://www.chester.gov.uk/peopleandplaces/ People & Places] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218032301/http://www.chester.gov.uk/peopleandplaces/ \|date=18 December 2007 }}	{{ya\|align=left\|color=}} Implemented
Cumbria County Council	single unitary authority	{{na\|align=left\|color=}} Not proceeding
South East	colspan="3" \| no bids
rowspan = 4 \| South West	Cornwall County Council	single unitary authority, Cornwall Council	{{ya\|align=left\|color=}} Implemented
Exeter City Council	unitary authority with existing boundaries	Referred to Boundary Committee. In February 2010 it was announced that Exeter was to become a unitary authority in April 2011, subject to the approval of Parliament.
Somerset County Council	single unitary authority	{{na\|align=left\|color=}} Not proceeding
Wiltshire County Council	single unitary authority	{{ya\|align=left\|color=}} Implemented
Yorkshire and the Humber	North Yorkshire County Council	single unitary authority	{{na\|align=left\|color=}} Not proceeding
West Midlands	Shropshire County Council	single unitary authority	{{ya\|align=left\|color=}} Implemented

† - in the context of examining options for unitary arrangements in the wider county area.

‡ - the Boundary Committee is asked to advise whether an alternative unitary proposal for Norwich based on revised council boundaries could deliver the required improvements.

Successful proposals

On 27 March 2007 Local Government Minister Phil Woolas announced that 16 councils bidding for unitary status had been shortlisted to go forward for public consultation.Communities and Local Government - [http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/woolasannouncessixteen Woolas announces sixteen successful bids for unitary status to improve local services] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080731131501/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/woolasannouncessixteen |date=2008-07-31 }}. 27 March 2007. On 25 July 2007 Woolas' successor John Healey announced that nine proposals would proceed, subject to the approval of Parliament in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.Communities and Local Government - [http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/healey-announces-nine Healey announces nine successful unitary proposals] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209184536/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/healey-announces-nine |date=9 December 2007 }}. 25 July 2007. A further announcement on 5 December indicated that only the five county level proposals (Cornwall, Durham, Northumberland, Shropshire, and Wiltshire) would proceed, while further consideration was to be given to the various proposals submitted for two more county areas (Bedfordshire and Cheshire).Communities and Local Government - [http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/575159 Green light for five flagship Unitary Councils] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107061130/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/575159 |date=7 January 2008 }}. 5 Dec 2007. On 18 December it was confirmed that the two-authority plan for Cheshire would proceed.Communities and Local Government - [http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/618102 Two flagship unitary Cheshire councils to proceed] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228223700/http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/618102 |date=28 February 2008 }}. 18 Dec 2007. On 6 March 2008 it was confirmed that proposals for Bedford Borough Council to become a unitary authority on its existing boundaries, and for Mid Bedfordshire District Council and South Bedfordshire District Council to merge to create a new Central Bedfordshire authority would be implemented.

=Single authorities=

In the following areas, the existing non-metropolitan county has now also become a non-metropolitan district (i.e. a "unitary county") and the existing non-metropolitan districts have been abolished.

class="wikitable"
Ceremonial county ! Non-metropolitan districts abolished in 2009 ! New unitary authority from 2009 ! Existing unitary authorities from 1990s reforms ! Map
Cornwall \| Penwith Kerrier Carrick Restormel (Borough) Caradon North Cornwall \| Cornwall \| Isles of Scilly † \| 100px
Durham \| Durham (City) Easington Sedgefield (Borough) Teesdale Wear Valley Derwentside Chester-le-Street \| Durham \| Hartlepool Darlington Stockton-on-Tees (part) \| 100px
Northumberland \| Blyth Valley (Borough) Wansbeck Castle Morpeth (Borough) Tynedale Alnwick Berwick-upon-Tweed (Borough) \| Northumberland \| none \| 100px
Shropshire \| North Shropshire Oswestry (Borough) Shrewsbury and Atcham (Borough) South Shropshire Bridgnorth \| Shropshire \| Telford and Wrekin \| 100px
Wiltshire \| Salisbury West Wiltshire Kennet North Wiltshire \| Wiltshire \| Swindon \| 100px

class="wikitable"

Ceremonial county

! Non-metropolitan districts
abolished in 2009

! New unitary authority
from 2009

! Existing unitary authorities
from 1990s reforms

! Map

Cornwall

| Penwith
Kerrier
Carrick
Restormel (Borough)
Caradon
North Cornwall

| Cornwall

| Isles of Scilly †

| 100px

Durham

| Durham (City)
Easington
Sedgefield (Borough)
Teesdale
Wear Valley
Derwentside
Chester-le-Street

| Durham

| Hartlepool
Darlington
Stockton-on-Tees (part)

| 100px

Northumberland

| Blyth Valley (Borough)
Wansbeck
Castle Morpeth (Borough)
Tynedale
Alnwick
Berwick-upon-Tweed (Borough)

| Northumberland

| none

| 100px

Shropshire

| North Shropshire
Oswestry (Borough)
Shrewsbury and Atcham (Borough)
South Shropshire
Bridgnorth

| Shropshire

| Telford and Wrekin

| 100px

Wiltshire

| Salisbury
West Wiltshire
Kennet
North Wiltshire

| Wiltshire

| Swindon

| 100px

† sui generis unitary authority since 1890

=Multiple authorities=

In the following areas, the existing non-metropolitan counties have been abolished. Each of the two new non-metropolitan districts in Cheshire (resulting from amalgamations of the existing districts) is now also a non-metropolitan county. In Bedfordshire, the new Central Bedfordshire non-metropolitan district (resulting from the amalgamation of two existing districts) is now also a non-metropolitan county, and the previous Bedford non-metropolitan district is now a unitary council.

class="wikitable"
Ceremonial county ! Non-metropolitan districts abolished in 2009 ! New unitary authorities from 2009 ! Existing unitary authorities from 1990s reforms ! Map pre 2009 ! Map after 2009
Bedfordshire \| Mid Bedfordshire South Bedfordshire \| 1. Bedford ‡ 2. Central Bedfordshire \| 3. Luton \| 100px \| 100px
Cheshire \| Ellesmere Port and Neston (Borough) Chester (District and City) Crewe and Nantwich (Borough) Congleton (Borough) Macclesfield (Borough) Vale Royal (Borough) \| 1. Cheshire West and Chester[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm BBC News, 25 July 2007 - County split into two authorities.] Retrieval Date: 25 July 2007.[http://www.macclesfield.gov.uk/standardpage.asp?pageid=11910&item=382 Macclesfield borough council press release 25 July 2007.] {{webarchive \|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112083743/http://www.macclesfield.gov.uk/standardpage.asp?pageid=11910&item=382 \|date=12 January 2008 }} Retrieval Date: 25 July 2007. 2. Cheshire East \| 3. Warrington 4. Halton \| 100px \| 100px

class="wikitable"

Ceremonial county

! Non-metropolitan districts
abolished in 2009

! New unitary authorities
from 2009

! Existing unitary authorities
from 1990s reforms

! Map pre 2009

! Map after 2009

Bedfordshire

| Mid Bedfordshire
South Bedfordshire

| 1. Bedford ‡
2. Central Bedfordshire

| 3. Luton

| 100px

Cheshire

| Ellesmere Port and Neston (Borough)
Chester (District and City)
Crewe and Nantwich (Borough)
Congleton (Borough)
Macclesfield (Borough)
Vale Royal (Borough)

| 1. Cheshire West and Chester[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/6916055.stm BBC News, 25 July 2007 - County split into two authorities.] Retrieval Date: 25 July 2007.[http://www.macclesfield.gov.uk/standardpage.asp?pageid=11910&item=382 Macclesfield borough council press release 25 July 2007.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112083743/http://www.macclesfield.gov.uk/standardpage.asp?pageid=11910&item=382 |date=12 January 2008 }} Retrieval Date: 25 July 2007.
2. Cheshire East

| 3. Warrington
4. Halton

| 100px

‡ existing district

Further changes

The Boundary Committee for England has completed its structural reviews for Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon.{{cite web|url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/about-structural-reviews |title = About structural reviews - Electoral Commission |access-date=2008-08-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080810075929/http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/about-structural-reviews |archive-date=2008-08-10 }}

Initial draft proposals were published in July 2008. The committee was expected to make final recommendations by 31 December 2008, but these were delayed, due to legal challenges;{{cite web|url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/news-and-media/news-releases/boundary-committee-news-centre/structural-reviews/statement-from-the-boundary-committee|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20090225023441/http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/news-and-media/news-releases/boundary-committee-news-centre/structural-reviews/statement-from-the-boundary-committee|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 February 2009|title=Unitary patterns of local government in Norfolk, Suffolk and Devon|date=6 February 2009|website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk}} and because they didn't assess the potential new authorities in proposals which would have split up the counties between two or more unitaries in aggregate. As a result, a further set of draft proposals were published in March 2009:

=Draft proposals for Devon=

The further draft recommendations propose two unitary options:

A Devon unitary authority comprising the existing county of Devon, with no changes to Plymouth and Torbay.
An Exeter and Exmouth unitary authority, and a unitary authority covering the remainder of Devon, with no changes to Plymouth and Torbay.{{cite web |url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/72767/Devon-further-draft-proposals-Web-Final.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.electoralcommission.org.uk |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607190940/http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/72767/Devon-further-draft-proposals-Web-Final.pdf |archive-date=7 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}

=Draft proposals for Norfolk=

The further draft recommendations propose two unitary options:

A single Norfolk unitary authority comprising the existing county of Norfolk.
A two authority structure with greater Norwich unitary authority and a rural Norfolk unitary authority for the rest of the county.{{cite web |url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/72769/Norfolk-Further-Draft-Proposals-Web-FINAL.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.electoralcommission.org.uk |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608150051/http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/72769/Norfolk-Further-Draft-Proposals-Web-FINAL.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}

=Draft proposals for Suffolk=

The further draft recommendations propose two unitary options:

A single Suffolk unitary authority comprising the existing county of Suffolk.
A two authority structure with a North Haven {{cite web|url=http://www.unitarynews.com/ |title = North Haven Unitary News |access-date=2009-06-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509213347/http://www.unitarynews.com/ |archive-date=2009-05-09 }} unitary authority consisting of Ipswich and Felixstowe, and a rural Suffolk unitary authority for the rest of the county.{{cite web |url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/72771/Suffolk-Further-Draft-Proposals-Web-Final.pdf |title=Archived copy |website=www.electoralcommission.org.uk |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608150100/http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/72771/Suffolk-Further-Draft-Proposals-Web-Final.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}

=Final recommendations=

Final recommendations were then due in July 2009.; but a successful legal challenge from three District Councils in Suffolk wanting a three unitary model for Suffolk to be considered by the committee resulted in a further delay. The Boundary Committee appealed this decision in favour of Forest Heath, St Edmundsbury & Waveney Councils in October 2009; in December (2009) they found out their appeal had been successful.

The Boundary Committee has now submitted its final recommendations to the Secretary of State. In all three counties the committee has stated that its preferred option is for a countywide unitary covering the whole of the existing two-tier area to be implemented. In addition in relation to Suffolk they have stated they have no major reservations about the two unitary pattern of North Haven & Rural Suffolk being adopted.{{cite web |url=http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/all-reviews/eastern/suffolk/suffolk-structural-review |title=Suffolk structural review - Electoral Commission |website=www.electoralcommission.org.uk |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080910221158/http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/all-reviews/eastern/suffolk/suffolk-structural-review |archive-date=10 September 2008 |url-status=dead}} Interested parties had until 19 January 2010 to make their representations to the Secretary of State.

=Decision on reform=

On 10 February 2010, Rosie Winterton, Minister of State for Local Government, announced the proposed final decisions on the unitary proposals:

Norwich to become a unitary authority, the remainder of Norfolk to retain two-tier structure due to lack of support for change.
Exeter to become a unitary authority, the remainder of Devon to retain two-tier structure, again due to lack of support locally. The boundaries of Exeter are to remain unchanged.{{cite web|url=http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=12312 |title=Unitary Gets Green Light |date=10 February 2010 |publisher=Exeter City Council |access-date=9 February 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807120905/http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=12312 |archive-date=7 August 2011 }}
Suffolk to be divided into unitary authority areas, the boundaries of which will be decided by a countywide convention.

The changes in Devon/Exeter and Norfolk/Norwich were to come into effect in April 2011, subject to judicial review. Draft structural changes orders were approved by the House of Lords on 22 March 2010,{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100322-0012.htm|title=Lords Hansard text for 22 Mar 201022 Mar 2010 (pt 0012)|first=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Lords|last=Westminster|website=publications.parliament.uk}} though the Lords took the unusual step of formally noting its regret.The Lords amended the Government motions approving the draft orders to add: "but this House regrets that Her Majesty's Government have laid before Parliament the draft Order, which does not comply with the Government's published criteria with respect to affordability of the future structure, without providing more evidence on whether the course proposed is likely to achieve its declared policy objective; and calls on Her Majesty's Government not to proceed with the draft Order before conducting further consultation with the residents of Norwich and Norfolk"[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100322-0007.htm][https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100322-0012.htm] and similarly for "...Exeter and Devon".[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100322-0013.htm] The amendments did not alter the draft orders or affect the legal validity of the Lords approval. The House of Commons approved the draft orders on 23 March.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100323/debtext/100323-0014.htm|title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 23 Mar 2010 (pt 0014)|first=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons|last=Westminster|website=publications.parliament.uk}} The final Exeter and Norwich orders were made on 24 March following a Government statement responding to the Lords vote.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100324-wms0002.htm|title=Lords Hansard text for 24 Mar 201024 Mar 2010 (pt 0002)|first=Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Lords|last=Westminster|website=publications.parliament.uk}} However, the orders were quashed in a judicial review{{Cite news | title = Exeter and Norwich each lose 13 councillors | publisher = BBC News Online | date = 2010-07-05 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10509395 | access-date = 2010-08-03}} causing elections to be held in Exeter and Norwich in September 2010.{{Cite news | title = September by-elections for Exeter and Norwich | publisher = BBC News Online | date = 2010-07-19 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10687867 | access-date = 2010-08-03| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100724060449/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10687867| archive-date= 24 July 2010 | url-status= live}}

=Cancellation of further structural changes=

The Queen's Speech at the May 2010 State Opening of Parliament included a Local Government Bill to revoke structural change orders that would have established Exeter and Norwich as unitary authorities and prevent the implementation of the Suffolk unitary proposals.{{cite web|url=http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsstories/newsroom/1600142|title=Queen's Speech 2010}} The bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 27 May 2010.{{cite web|url=http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/localgovernmenthl.html|title=Local Government Act 2010 — UK Parliament|website=services.parliament.uk}}

References

External links

Office of Public Sector Information:

[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080907_en_1 Bedfordshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20081223124157/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080634_en_1 Cheshire (Structural Changes) Order 2008]
[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080491_en_1 Cornwall (Structural Change) Order 2008]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090423012937/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080493_en_1 County Durham (Structural Change) Order 2008]
[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080494_en_1 Northumberland (Structural Change) Order 2008]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20081223123846/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080492_en_1 Shropshire (Structural Change) Order 2008]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20081223124147/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20080490_en_1 Wiltshire (Structural Change) Order 2008]
[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100998_en_1 Exeter and Devon (Structural Changes) Order 2010]
[http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2010/uksi_20100997_en_1 Norwich and Norfolk (Structural Changes) Order 2010]

{{DEFAULTSORT:2009 Structural Changes To Local Government In England}}

Category:History of local government in England

Structural changes to local government

Category:2009 in British politics

Category:Public policy in England