Supporting the new unitary authorities
On 1 April 2009, nine new English unitary councils replaced 44 county and district councils that existed as part of the two-tier structure of English local government. The functions were transferred to the new authorities: Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Cornwall, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Durham, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire.
LBRO has worked with the new unitaries to consider which organizational options best meet their own and their customers' needs in terms of planning and the delivery of shared services. A Unitary Pioneers Steering Group was formed from the heads of regulatory services (or their equivalent). This has introduced practical arrangements in order to ensure a joint commitment to meeting agreed objectives. The benefits arising from its activities are expected to include greater capacity for the councils to manage a significant change process, the elimination of duplicated efforts, and the creation of a best practice network.
Joanne Waller, Head of Environment, Health and Consumer Protection at Durham Council, chairs the Group. She comments: "We felt that it was important that we had a clear vision for the work we are undertaking and this was agreed to be the development of world class regulatory services to meet local and national priorities by October 2011. We have a number of specific outcomes we are collectively seeking to achieve. Chief amongst them are promoting local business and enterprise, encouraging economic vitality and intervening only when there is a clear case for protection."
This project is an excellent example of partnership working between LBRO and an important group of local authorities. The outcomes should contribute towards embedding the better regulation principles within these councils. The learning is being rolled out to all local authorities through a range of further initiatives, including the report below:
Regulatory Services Leading the Way (09/03/2010 PDF - 68 KB / 3 pages)
This summarises the lessons learned during the project and lists 10 key success factors.
For further information on the work being undertaken with the new unitaries please contact Lisa Peplow on lisa.peplow@lbro.org.uk or via 0121 226 4000.
