Communities Secretary confirms new local authorities will be created to improve the delivery of services in Northamptonshire.
Eight existing councils in Northamptonshire are to be abolished and replaced by two new councils of North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire to improve the delivery of public services across the county.
Announced 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 new authorities will replace the current 2-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.
Communities Secretary the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP 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.
“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 is minded, if there are new unitary authorities, to establish a new Children’s Trust to deliver children’s social care across the county on behalf of the new councils.
The Trust will ensure continuity by centralising children’s social care and follows a recommendation from the Children’s Commissioner Malcolm Newsam in a report published on 14th May. His recommendation is based on Children’s Trusts having enabled effective local services for children in need, including in Doncaster, Slough and Birmingham as evidenced through recent inspections.
Children and Families Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “Supporting vulnerable children and families must be the first priority of any government, so they can get the protection they need.
“The decision marks an important step for everyone living in Northamptonshire, and by creating a children’s trust to deliver children’s social care across the two new counties, we will be able to provide the continuity and stability that families deserve.”
The two new authorities will be fully operational from 1st April 2021, with elections taking place in May 2020 to shadow authorities to ensure a smooth transition.
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