New data comparing the savings generated by bigger and smaller new unitary councils has been welcomed by Leicestershire County Council.
Published today (Friday), the findings show that replacing the two-tier system with a new wave of councils in England with populations of at least 500,000 could save at least £1.8bn over five years.
The report – drawing on independent PwC data and produced by cross-party organisation County Councils Network (CCN) – says that in contrast, splitting two-tier areas into 58 new unitary authorities based on a minimum population of 300,000 would cost £850m over five years and deliver no savings.
Deborah Taylor, acting leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “These findings are stark. Getting better value for our tax payers is a huge driver behind reorganising local government so it would make no sense to plump for an option where we don’t save money.
“There’s clear blue water between the ideas on the table. The PwC/CCN data backs up our vision for One Council for Leicestershire as the only viable option – saving £30m a year, protecting the services you value and reducing confusion over who does what.
“We want what’s best for our residents. And we back the CCN in its call for new councils to have populations of 500,000 or more. Other options would simply be too small to cope and twice the cost.”
The Government wants to move away from ‘two tier’ local government and asked councils to work up ideas.
Leicestershire County Council is drawing up a common-sense plan to create one council for Leicestershire (excluding Rutland and Leicester City), forging stronger links with communities, reducing duplication and simplifying local government – and is encouraging residents, organisations and businesses to complete a short survey.
Initial proposals need to be submitted to Government by 21 March with a more detailed plan completed by November. Agreement is needed on local government reorganisation before there could be any devolution from Government.
Complete the survey by 18 March by visiting our One Council page or fill in the handy freepost cut out version in the council’s residents’ newsletter, Leicestershire Matters.
Read the CCN report.