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Local authorities undergo radical overhaul
A radical shake-up of the local government structure, which will see 44 English councils replaced by just nine, has taken effect from today (1 April) in a bid to cut red tape and improve services.
The 44 former district and county councils will now be incorporated into the nine new unitary authorities, which will affect seven areas across the country and will replicate the system of local government already in place in Scotland and Wales. Five areas – Cornwall, Wiltshire, Shropshire, Northumberland and Durham – will each receive one new unitary authority each, while two areas – Cheshire and Bedfordshire – will be split into two unitary authorities.
According to the Department for Communities and Local Government, the changes will ensure that residents are given access to improved and clearer services, while also providing better value to taxpayers and reduced bureaucracy. Local government minister, John Healey, said: "This is not a cosmetic makeover or just a new logo on a council tax bill. Nor is it just a cost-cutting exercise. It's about the nine areas making the clear case that they can serve their residents better by top-to-bottom reform, and stripping out a layer of local government.
"The acid test will now be whether these councils deliver their promises, including better services, leadership and achieving more for less, as I, and more importantly their residents, expect."
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