Eight councils scrapped as Government approves unitary authorities plan

Eight existing councils in Northamptonshire are to be abolished and replaced by two new councils of North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire.

The Government says the move is to “improve the delivery of public services across the county”.

The news was revealed by Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP. The new North Northamptonshire authority will cover the existing districts of Kettering, Corby, East Northamptonshire and Wellingborough. The West Northamptonshire authority will cover the existing districts of Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire.

The Government says the new authorities will replace the current two-tier system of local government and will be a “significant step towards ensuring residents and businesses across Northamptonshire can in future have the sustainable high-quality local services they deserve”.

The new councils will align transport, housing and environment services and improve education and skills provision.

The Communities Secretary said: “I welcome the continued commitment of Northamptonshire’s councils and their partners to driving forward the changes to local government in their area which I have confirmed today.

“The two new authorities of North and West Northamptonshire will usher in a new era for the county, transforming the way services are delivered so every resident can have confidence they will receive the high-quality public services they both expect and deserve.”

The Education Secretary will also establish a new Children’s Trust to deliver children’s social care across the county on behalf of the new councils.

The two new authorities will be fully operational from 1 April 2021, with elections taking place in May 2020.