THE restructuring of local authorities in to a unitary model would be "costly and disruptive" according to two district councils.

South Bucks and Chiltern District Councils have hit out at the proposal to explore the option of local government in Buckinghamshire coming under one roof, after councillors agreed to produce a business case to look into it at an extraordinary Bucks County Council cabinet meeting on Monday.

The motion was brought forward by councillor Martin Tett, Bucks County Council leader, for the business case to "explore the benefits of a new, single unitary model of local government" for Buckinghamshire.

Currently, the councils operate in a two-tier system, with Bucks County Council supported by South Bucks, Chiltern, Wycombe and Aylesbury Vale District Councils, but a unitary model would bring all services under one authority for the county.

Cllr Tett said: “The business case that cabinet has agreed to develop will show how a single unitary council would streamline and simplify services for residents – something that is long overdue and that residents certainly tell us they want.

"Combined with the significant cost-savings to be gained over the medium term from economies of scale, a single unitary council model is a compelling option and one that should be ‘on the table’ for consideration.


“We’ve already seen new types of councils developed in other parts of the country and the benefits they have brought to residents, and it’s the right time now for Buckinghamshire to consider its future.


“Collaboration is the key to the process of modernising local government; and we want to work together with all our partners - district councils, town and parish councils, businesses, health and police colleagues and others. This will ensure the greatest chance of a successful, resilient and customer-focused organisation for the future.”

A joint statement issued by the leaders of South Bucks and Chiltern District Councils read: "It is disappointing that those who are most vocal about local government reorganisation continue to promote unitary authorities when it is clear that newer governance models, such as combined authorities, offer potentially the same savings without the cost and disruption to services arising from replacing the existing structures.

"We’ve always been willing to look at local government structures, but are mindful of the limitations. Any restructure would be costly and disruptive.

"It is unlikely to be the financial panacea it’s being represented as and neither would it necessarily protect or improve those services or best deal with the local issues our residents tell us matter most to them.

"We think the debate would be better focussed on wider reform across the public sector in Buckinghamshire."

A report in September 2014 suggested that over a five year period, a single unitary model for Bucks could save between £44.6m and £58.3m, while a two unitary model - a potential split geographically between north and south Bucks - could save between £13.4m and £26.9m.

Bucks County Council aims to complete the business case within the next three months - ready to be considered by the cabinet in September. However any final approval for the move would lay with central government.