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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of undertaking a public consultation on the reorganisation of local government.

As set out in the English Devolution White Paper we are ending the two-tier system of local government and establishing single tier councils everywhere. Two tier local government slows down decision making and delivery. It leads to fragmented public services, wastes money on duplication, and is confusing about who is responsible for what.

We have invited proposals for unitary councils from councils in the 21 two-tier areas in England. There is a requirement for the Secretary of State to consult with affected councils and such other persons as he considers appropriate before implementing a proposal.