Local Government Reorganisation - Local Authorities are Going to 2-Tier Areas - Survey for Residents by ECDC.  

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You have probably heard that the National Government is making fundamental changes to the way local government is structured. The last time this happened was in the 1970s.

All district and county councils in England will be abolished and replaced with the new unitary councils. This will significantly change the way local services are delivered. On Wednesday 5 February 2025 ECDC received the formal invitation to submit Local Government Reorganisation proposals:

Interim plans/proposals must be submitted on or before 21 March 2025 with full proposals by 28th November 2025. If legislation is agreed by Parliament then this will happen as soon as possible according to local government reorganisation.

What will happen in East Cambridgeshire:

The truth is the detail is not 100% known yet, but it is likely ECDC will be merged with other neighbouring councils to make a larger unitary authority that delivers both district and county services.

East Cambridgeshire District Council currently serves a population of 90,000. Under the proposals the new unitary authority is likely to serve a population of 500,000. Bottisham has a population (electoral role) of approximately 2400.

A unitary authority will:

* cover a larger geographical area

* cover a larger population

* offer all district and county services from one council - * everything from social care, education and potholes to planning, housing and waste collection

* mean a possible increase in Council Tax for East Cambs residents

* have less councillors covering bigger areas services will be less localised

What is ECDC Doing Now:

Whilst they cannot influence the decision to abolish district and county councils, they want to make sure they help to provide the best possible alternative for our residents, our communities and the new unitary authority.

Between now and 7 March 2025 ECDC are running a survey to ask residents what is important to them in East Cambridgeshire.

Results will be used to help formulate an outline proposal for creating a new unitary authority, which all councils have been asked to submit to government by 21 March 2025.

You can access and read the Devolution White Paper on either the ECDC website or on the Government (gov.uk) website.