Radical local government shake-ups proposed that would change the face of Buckinghamshire

Bucks County Council proposes combining with two others to form a historic tri-county authority, while Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) separately proposes that it becomes a unitary authority.

Tuesday 16 December featured two significant statements of intent from local authorities:

In the morning the Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) Martin Tett joined his counterparts from Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, Ian Hudspeth and Jim Harker OBE respectively, to launch a bid to form the UK’s first cross-county combined authority. Under plans titled ‘A shared approach to driving prosperity’ the tri-county authority would gain powers and resources over transport, skills, economic development and strategic planning.

In the afternoon Aylesbury Vale District Council announced its plans to investigate becoming a unitary authority, citing potential financial savings for tax payers. The plans would see AVDC break away from the rest of the county and take more control of key departments including children’s services and transport in the Vale. There could be a public vote on the plans next year. AVDC Leader Neil Blake disclosed that BCC had not been consulted over these plans.

These proposals will interest the Buckinghamshire business community which crowdfunded £25,000 for an independent report into the savings possible from a restructuring of local government. The fact that this campaign has sparked discussion and some action over the cost and structure of local government is positive, and further debate will be of huge interest  to businesses in the county.

There are signs that discussions are still taking place behind closed doors and it is important for both residents and businesses to see a transparent process towards any change in the structure of local government.

Join the LinkedIn discussion to have your say on this important matter. (You will need to join the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Directors and Leaders group to do so)

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