Formally reports the outcome of the Government’s deliberations.
1.2
Anticipates future actions.
1.3
Requests payment of preparatory costs.
2
Recommendations
2.1
Members are recommended to consider what actions they might wish to take in the context of the Government’s announcement.
2.2
To agree to payment of £4,000 in connection with preparatory work for the District Councils’ submission.
3
Report
3.1
On the 25th July, the Local Government Minister, John Healey, announced the Government’s decisions about those submissions to go forward to create new unitary councils in England. Members will be aware that the context for these decisions has included:-
• White Paper “Strong and Prosperous Communities” and invitation to submit unitary government proposals, both issued on 26th October 2006
• Deadline for submissions – 25th January 2007 – two submissions made for Northumberland: one by Northumberland County Council and one by the six District Councils
• 27th March 2007 - Government announces the 16 submissions that are to go to stakeholder consultation with closing date of 22nd June 2007
• Mid-July 2007 - Government publishes further consultation paper on prioritising between submissions
• 25th July 2007 - Government announces the decisions on which unitary authorities are to be formed, subject to passage of the Bill which enables creation of new councils.
3.2
The announcement is that a single unitary council is to be created for Northumberland to be called a New Northumberland Council. It is understood that this will be a new rather than a continuing authority because Northumberland County Council said so in its submission, commentary, media releases and at meetings.
3.3
Information on decisions in other areas and other information has already been forwarded to Members through a copy of the Government’s media release.
3.4
The enabling legislation has yet to complete its journey through Parliament and is unlikely to do so until shortly before the Queen’s Speech. In the meantime, the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) has established a group to support and advise Councils which have been successful. It is very much hoped that Northumberland County Council (NCC) will re-engage with its Districts to draw on the expertise and best practice that has been developed there. NCC’s final submission to CLG suggests that planning and devising policy for New Northumberland Council will be undertaken by the Leader and Chief Executive of NCC until elections to the Shadow Council in 2008.
3.5
Council will recall that the submission by the six Districts was deemed to have met set criteria when it was put into the group for stakeholder consultation in March this year. Nevertheless, the letter from CLG attached to this report states that the submission failed to meet three out of the five criteria. In addition, the elements identified in the letter are not those raised with the six Districts during a series of substantial discussions with District Council officers. These uncertainties mean that Leaders and Chief Executives need to discuss next steps and meetings have been arranged and will be reported later to Members as they are due to occur between the drafting of this report and the date of the meeting.
3.6
Council will probably be aware of the case for judicial review being mounted by Shrewsbury and Atcham District Council supported by Congleton District Council. Due to be heard in mid-September, it hinges on the legal ability of the Secretary of State to carry out the recent consultation as her powers lie within the Bill which has yet to receive the Royal Assent. Along similar lines, there are likely to be questions about her powers to appoint interim teams to implement the outcome of the review when there is a dearth of legislation.
3.7
If there is no successful legal challenge which stops or delays the process, the timetable for events is likely to be as follows:-
• Autumn 2007 – the current Bill receives the Royal Assent between Party Conferences and the Queen’s Speech
• December 2007 – regulatory orders presented to Parliament to establish the new Councils
• December 2007 (perhaps January 2008) – CLG appoints Interim Board
• May 2008 – elections to Shadow Council
• April 2009 – New Northumberland Council invested
Interestingly, NCC proposes a complete transfer of responsibilities and work to the Shadow Council from those that continue in existence up until April 2009 during the Shadow period and as early as September 2008.
3.8
Further reports will be brought to Council in due course.
3.9
As part of the final submission for “One Northumberland ~ Two Councils” required by CLG some additional expenditure was incurred and an invoice for £4,000 received from Blyth Valley Borough Council. This is a slighter sum than that paid by other Councils.
4
Implications
4.1
Comments from the Council’s Section 151 Officer
The funding (£4,000) can be accommodated from existing resources. The LGR decision will impact upon the Medium Term Financial Plan, which will be looking forward three years. Deloitte (our external auditors) suggest Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council continue with the three year plan.
4.2
Comments from the Council’s Monitoring Officer
No comments.
4.3
Comments from the Head of Paid Service
There are significant uncertainties about the speed and nature of change and, for some technical areas of work, retention of expertise is likely to be a tremendous difficulty. The earlier information about continuing services can be established, the greater the prospects for continuity of delivery in this Borough.
4.4
Local Agenda 21
None arising directly from this report.
4.5
Equality
None arising directly from this report.
4.6
Crime and Disorder
None arising directly from this report.
5
Report Author
5.1
Jane E. Pannell, Chief Executive, telephone (01289) 301701, email: jep@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk
