Local government reorganisation

• Unitary authorities
• Transition
• Interim people management issues
• Community of practice

Unitary authorities

The government announced in December 2007 that proposals for county-wide unitary status would go ahead in Cornwall, Durham, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire. Subsequently, the government announced that the proposal for two unitary authorities in Cheshire would go ahead, as would the proposal for two unitary authorities in Bedfordshire.  The intention is that all the new authorities are fully up and running by April 2009.

The number of councils in these areas will be reduced from 35 to 9. It is estimated that implementation of unitary status could save over £100 million per year, which could be used to directly improve front line services or to reduce council tax bills.

The Boundary Committee of the Electoral Commission has been asked to consider whether alternative unitary solutions involving boundary changes would enable unitary status to be established in Suffolk, Devon and Norfolk.  The Boundary Committee will complete its review and provide advice to the Secretary of State for the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) in July 2009.

Local government reorganisation will have major implications for the management and delivery of council services in affected areas. The work in preparing for reorganisation cannot be overestimated. Existing authorities will have to prepare to hand over functions to the new authorities and plan the longer term development of services while continuing to manage and develop their existing services up to the date of transfer.

To drive this process forward the government department responsible, the DCLG has established a group of experts, including the LGA, LGE, local government trade unions and professional bodies to advise on practical arrangements.

Transition

The DCLG issued a discussion paper, Councils’ proposals for unitary status, in August 2007, which set out its original views as to how LGR should be implemented. The proposals have moved on since, however, and a summary is provided for reference purposes.

The move to unitary status will be overseen by an ‘Implementation Executive’ / ‘Shadow Council’ in each area. Most staff in post immediately prior to 1 April will transfer to a new unitary authority and will be treated as if the TUPE Regulations 2006 applied. The DCLG has laid the staffing regulations before parliament and issued guidance on staffing issues.

The government has also issued the Local Government (Structural Changes) (Transfer of Functions, Property, Rights and Liabilities) Regulations 2008 which supplement the structural changes orders which bring into effect the new unitary authorities.

Interim people management issues

The LGE’s local government reorganisation advisory group has produced a guidance document on the immediate HR issues that will need urgent attention as a result of reorganisation. Good people management practices are key to maintaining quality delivery and all authorities affected by LGR should be taking steps now to ensure a smooth transition to the new unitary authorities.  

Community of practice

The LGE, LGA and the IDeA have developed a community of practice, ‘Local Government Reorganisation: HR Practitioners Community’, on the IDeA knowledge website. This provides a facility for those managing the reorganisation process in authorities to share issues and solutions and post documents that they think will be of interest to others.

The community can be accessed here www.communities.idea.gov.uk/home.do. New members need to register by clicking on ‘register now’ on the right-hand side and following the step-by-step process. On acceptance to the community you will receive an email confirming your registration.