New local authorities to be created in Northamptonshire

Communities Secretary James Brokenshire has announced that two new councils are to be established in Northamptonshire to improve the delivery of public services across the county.

The eight existing councils in Northamptonshire are to be abolished and replaced by two new councils of North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire. The North Northamptonshire authority will cover the existing districts of Kettering, Corby, East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough. The West Northamptonshire authority will cover the existing districts of Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire.

The new authorities will replace the current two-tier system of local government and will be a significant step towards ensuring residents and businesses across Northamptonshire can have the sustainable high-quality local services they deserve. The new councils will align transport, housing and environment services and improve education and skills provision.

The two new authorities will be fully operational from 1 April 2021, with elections taking place in May 2020 to shadow authorities to ensure a smooth transition.

Brokenshire said: “I welcome the continued commitment of Northamptonshire’s councils and their partners to driving forward the changes to local government in their area which I have confirmed today. The two new authorities of North and West Northamptonshire will usher in a new era for the county, transforming the way services are delivered so every resident can have confidence they will receive the high-quality public services they both expect and deserve.”

Andrew Gwynne MP, Labour’s Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary, said: “Austerity is so savage that the government has been forced to effectively abolish one of their own Tory councils. A perfect storm of Tory mismanagement and austerity drove Northamptonshire into ruin and now local people are paying the price.

“After declaring bankruptcy twice in six months, the council pushed council tax above normal limits, cut jobs and services, and sold off land and buildings for less than their worth to pay off spiralling debts. Today’s announcement appears to be nothing more than a £43 million attempt by the Government to cover up this mess.”