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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed population size for unitary councils on (a) democratic accountability, (b) local identity and (c) the ability of a local councillors to provide effective representation; and if she will take steps to reduce the proposed population size where those issues cannot be mitigated.

On 5 February 2025, I formally invited proposals for local government reorganisation from all the councils in two tier areas and their neighbouring unitary councils.

The invitation letter sets out the criteria against which proposals will be assessed in coming to a decision on implementation. These include the criteria that new unitary structures must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks; reflect local identity considerations; and enable stronger community engagement and genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment. It also asks councils in their interim plans to include early views as to the councillor numbers that will ensure both effective democratic representation for all parts of the area, and also effective governance and decision-making arrangements.

It will be for councils to consider the assessment criteria as they develop and submit proposals that are in the best interest of their area.