Local Government Minister John Healey has announced that nine proposals for unitary status will now go ahead towards implementation with the intention that all new authorities are fully up and running in 2009. Kent remains unaffected by any of the changes, despite strong rumours early in the process that the County, and Shepway, could see huge changes to its Council structure.
The number of councils in these areas will be reduced from forty-six to eleven. The full list of successful authorities that will proceed, subject to the enactment of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health (LGPIH) Bill, is as follows:
Councils Submitting Proposals
Proposed unitary structure:
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