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Written question asked by Baroness Eaton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 8 January 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 January 2025. It was answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 January 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Local Government Finance: Devolution

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the English Devolution White Paper published on 16 December 2024 (CP 1218), whether the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has assessed the merits of writing off council debt for those local authorities who decide to pursue a unitary model under the local government re-organisation proposals.

Answer

The English Devolution White Paper published on 16 December announced that the Government will facilitate local government reorganisation for two-tier areas and for unitary councils where there is evidence of failure, or where their size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality public services.

Previous Secretaries of State used statutory powers to intervene in a small number of councils failing their Best Value Duty partly associated with high levels of unsustainable debt. We will work closely with local leaders to explore what support they might need to develop robust proposals and implement new structures, including where there has been failure. We will continue to work with Best Value Commissioners in these councils to support the councils’ financial recovery.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3873
Session
2024-26
Related items
Subjects
Devolution Local government finance Reorganisation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk