Shake-up proposal for Northamptonshire

The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government is seeking evidence on proposals to shake-up the way local government operates in Northamptonshire as part of a public consultation.

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire received proposals from seven councils in the county to replace the current 2-tier system of local government with two new unitary authorities. If implemented, this would see one unitary authority covering the area of Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire while the another would oversee Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough.

Brokenshire also proposed delaying elections in Northamptonshire, originally due in May 2019, until May 2020., following a request from all of the eight Northamptonshire councils to do so and will be done as soon as practically possible.

Brokenshire said: “I’m determined to ensure the people of Northamptonshire receive the very best public services from local authorities which are well-connected, make best use of public funds and give people more choice over how their communities are run. I look forward to hearing views on the proposals from the people of Northamptonshire.”

Further to this, the first progress report from the commissioners sent in to rebuild Northamptonshire County Council after serious failings were uncovered has been published, reaffirming the seriousness of the financial situation at the council.

The report outlines necessary priorities to stabilise the council, focusing on financial recovery, the re-creation of a corporate centre and engagement with residents and local partners. The commissioners’ findings include: the 'dysfunction' at the council has resulted in some services lacking resilience; positive cultural changes have started to take effect at the council as a result of the appointment of new senior staff; and that local stakeholders including residents, councillors and MPs have been consulted on the changes they are implementing to restore the council to a 'proper set of operating principles' which can continue into the potential new unitary organisations.