Current structural reviews
Our advice to the Secretary of State on unitary local government in Devon, Norfolk and Suffolk
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government asked for our advice about the structure of local government in Devon,
Our covering letter to the Secretary of State (PDF) sets out what our advice is
More information on the review process in general, including the Secretary of State’s intended approach to taking his statutory decisions, can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government’s website . Here is a link to a letter outlining the Secretary of State's intended approach to decisions in relation to proposals for unitary local government.
Key background documents
- Frequently asked questions on structural reviews (PDF)
- Secretary of State’s request for advice, published February 2008 (PDF)
- Secretary of State’s new guidance, published December 2008 (PDF)
Reports on affordability
We asked independent financial consultants to provide the Committee with an assessment of the affordability, as defined by the Secretary of State, of the patterns of unitary local government in Devon, Norfolk and Suffolk that were outlined in our reports published on 7 July 2008.
On 15 June 2009, our independent financial consultants (IFCs) provided their final reports on the affordability of our further draft proposals. These reports which contain the IFCs’ analysis following the publication of the further draft proposals, became available online on 8 December 2009.
- affordability of further draft proposals in Devon (PDF)
- affordability of further draft proposals in Norfolk (PDF)
- affordability of further draft proposals in Suffolk (PDF)
On 21 November 2008, our independent financial consultants (IFCs) provided three reports. These considered the likelihood of the individual authorities identified being able to meet the affordability criterion. (These reports have been available from our website since 21 November 2008):
- summary report (PDF)
- a detailed report on each of the 16 authorities identified in our 7 July 2008 report (PDF)
- 'Compilation of financial information' (PDF)- Pages 150, 170 and 197 of this report were amended on March 30 2009, if you would like to see the original pages, please contact us at reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk
As a result of the new guidance issued in December 2008, we asked the same IFCs to assess these patterns 'in aggregate'. On 20 January we considered the IFCs' new reports.
- overview report analysis of patterns containing two unitary authorities, in aggregate (PDF)
- copies of correspondence (mostly from local authorities) relating to the 21 November reports and the IFCs comments on them (PDF)
- detailed workbooks supporting the in aggregate analysis (PDF)
We also received additional reports from the IFCs relating to the Greater Norwich and Rural Norfolk pattern, which are available on the Norfolk structural review page.
- 29 January 2009 Peer review of independent financial consultants process (PDF)
- 13 March 2009 Peer review of independent financial consultants process (Greater Norwich and Rural Norfolk) (PDF)
Judicial reviews
A number of councils have brought legal proceedings regarding the conduct of the structural reviews. The courts have found our process to be lawful and we are satisfied that our advice has been based on a sound, legal process. View our statement on the Suffolk Court of Appeal judgment that was handed down on 2 December 2009 here.
What is a structural review?
A structural review is used to establish whether one or more single, all-purpose councils, known as unitary authorities, should be established in an area instead of the existing two-tier system.
We hold information on Freedom of Information (FOI) requests relating to structural reviews, including responses to previous requests.
What do we do?
We carry out structural reviews at the request of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government under Sections 4 to 6 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (PDF).
After completing the review we provide the Secretary of State with our advice on the issues that have been specifically asked.
The Secretary of State then decides whether or not to implement our recommendations.
Please note the Government does not request our advice in all cases, and initial enquiries regarding unitary local government should be made to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Previous structural reviews
Between 2003 and 2004 we were directed by the Deputy Prime Minister to carry out local government reviews recommending unitary authorities in the North East, North West and Yorkshire & the Humber regions, before planned referendums on elected regional assemblies took place.
Between 1992 and 1995 the Local Government Commission for England reviewed the structure of local government across all the two-tier areas in England. As a result 46 new unitary authorities were created.
