Current structural reviews
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has asked for our advice in relation to the structure of local government in Devon, Norfolk and Suffolk. On 19 March 2009, we published further draft proposals for these three counties, which we are consulting on until 14 May 2009.
Reports detailing the financial information which assisted our decisions are available on this page, below. We welcome views on our further draft proposals by 14 May 2009. Representations can be made through the online submission form or by emailing reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk or by writing us.
Our further draft proposal reports and our independent financial consultants' reports can be accessed through the relevant pages at the links below. You can also find our independent financial consultants' reports and a synopsis of those reports on the relevant page.
Devon structural review
Norfolk structural review
Suffolk structural review
We started reviews of all three counties on 3 March 2008. We were originally requested to provide advice by 31 December 2008. That deadline was then extended to 13 February 2009. However, the Secretary of State has recognised that, in light of ongoing legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Committee to provide any advice by that date. She has now changed the deadline to 15 July 2009.
Here is a link to the Secretary of State's request for advice (PDF). In December 2008, the Committee received new guidance (PDF) from the Secretary of State.
You can also view our Frequently Asked Questions on structural reviews (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 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. As part of our consultation that finishes on 14 May 2009, respondents may wish to consider the information in these 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)
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.
