Consultation by the Secretary of State (SoS) over plans to restructure local government in Northamptonshire which could include two unitary authorities has started today, Thursday, 29 November 2019.

The Government consultation has launched following proposals submitted by Northamptonshire councils back in August 2018.SoS, James Brokenshire has announced that he will consult with all principal councils in Northamptonshire, principal councils neighbouring Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, the Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner, local health bodies, the University of Northampton, and representatives of the voluntary sector.He also welcomes views from any interested persons, including local residents and organisations.The consultation period will run for eight weeks until 25 January 2019 and is available online at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-proposed-reorganisation-of-local-government-in-northamptonshire.Paper copies will also be available in public offices and buildings of all the Northamptonshire councils.Mr Brokenshire has also announced today that following a request from the eight Northamptonshire councils, he will bring forward an Order in Parliament to postpone district and parish elections that were due to be held in May 2019 until May 2020.Should he decide to implement the proposal of two unitary authorities, it would have meant district and parish councillors serving only one year before unitary authority elections would be held in 2020.He explains:"Elections in such circumstances risk confusing voters and would involve significant costs that would be hard to justify. Accordingly, I have concluded that irrespective of whatever my future decision might be on the restructuring proposal, the right course is to postpone these elections."Cllr Ian McCord, Leader of South Northamptonshire Council commented: "Whatever we think about the proposal, or the circumstances that led us here, I am pleased after all these delays that we are now moving forwards."