Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he plans to approve new unitary council structures where new unitary council wards cross and split existing (a) district wards, (b) unitary wards and (c) county divisions.

The Secretary of State's consideration of local government reorganisation proposals is based on information provided by councils, representations received through the statutory consultation process, and official advice and analysis drawing on published sources and sector data. Decisions on individual proposals are taken on their merits, having regard to all relevant information available.

The Government has been clear that local suggestions may be built from existing district wards, unitary wards, county divisions, parish boundaries or parish wards, including a mix of these electoral areas where appropriate.