Express a view on unitary local government for Bedfordshire
The announcement on 27 March 2007 by the Department for Communities and Local Goverment (DCLG) shortlisting two proposals for either:
- A new unitary authority for Bedford, or
- A single county wide unitary authority
means that the future of a new Central Bedfordshire unitary authority, which was proposed by South Bedfordshire and Mid-Beds District Councils, is still to be decided.
The proposal to set up a new single unitary local government authority, Central Bedfordshire, covering South Bedfordshire and Mid Beds - which would be responsible for all of the current district and county council services - was the option put forward by the two district councils. It complements the bid put forward by Bedford Borough Council for unitary government in Bedford itself.
In January 2007, a joint proposal (PDF 1.32MB) was submitted to the Secretary of State arguing that a new Central Bedfordshire unitary council would ensure local government remains close to local communities and would deliver service improvements and savings. Central government also asked two sets of further questions about the submission. The answers to the first set of general questions (PDF 91.8KB) were provided in February while further follow up questions and answers (PDF 76.8KB) were provided in March.
South Bedfordshire District Council is seeking backing for the ‘Central Bedfordshire’ proposal and people can indicate their support by completing this letter of support. South Bedfordshire District Council has also set up an online Survey to find out what the public thinks of these issues.
To date we have had several hundred responses from people across the District via both the InformAction response slips and our online survey. Over 75 per cent of respondents have indicated that they support a Central Bedfordshire unitary, with only 17 per cent supporting a unitary covering the whole of the county.
Details of the options and what it would mean for people living in South Bedfordshire can be found in the following links:
Press Release 27/03/07
Communities and Local Goverment news release 27/03/07 (External link to Department of Communities and Local Government website)
Proposals for future unitary structures: Stakeholder consultation information (External link to Department of Communities and Local Government website)
Alternatively download the Proposals for future unitary structures: Stakeholder consultation (PDF 101KB)
Express your support for Central Bedfordshire
Central Bedfordshire Survey
Press Release 7/03/07
Submission Press Release 25/01/07
Responses to first set of general questions (PDF 91.8KB)
Responses to follow up questions (PDF 76.8KB)
Map of Central Bedfordshire (PDF 328.6KB)
Local Government Review Booklet (PDF 2.6MB)
Central Bedfordshire Final Submission (PDF 2.5MB)
Initial information on decision (PDF 46KB)
Statement issued by the Leader of South Bedfordshire District Council (PDF 28KB)
Bedford Borough Council's Overarching Response to DCLG Questions
reviewed 24 April 2008
