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| Unitary council hopefuls unveiled | Unitary council hopefuls unveiled |
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| Norwich, Exeter and Ipswich are among 16 councils applying for unitary status to have been shortlisted for further consideration, the government says. | Norwich, Exeter and Ipswich are among 16 councils applying for unitary status to have been shortlisted for further consideration, the government says. |
| Minister Phil Woolas said cutting one of the two tiers of councils - district or county - could save £200m a year. | Minister Phil Woolas said cutting one of the two tiers of councils - district or county - could save £200m a year. |
| He also shortlisted bids from Cornwall, Cumbria, Durham, North Yorkshire, Shropshire, Somerset and Wiltshire to become the sole council in their areas. | He also shortlisted bids from Cornwall, Cumbria, Durham, North Yorkshire, Shropshire, Somerset and Wiltshire to become the sole council in their areas. |
| If approved the district councils in those counties would disappear. | If approved the district councils in those counties would disappear. |
| SHORT-LIST COUNCILS Bedfordshire County CouncilBedford Borough CouncilCornwall County CouncilCheshire County CouncilChester City CouncilCumbria County CouncilDurham County CouncilExeter City CouncilIpswich Borough CouncilNorth Yorkshire County CouncilNorthumberland County CouncilNorthumberland DistrictsNorwich City CouncilShropshire County CouncilSomerset County CouncilWiltshire County Council | SHORT-LIST COUNCILS Bedfordshire County CouncilBedford Borough CouncilCornwall County CouncilCheshire County CouncilChester City CouncilCumbria County CouncilDurham County CouncilExeter City CouncilIpswich Borough CouncilNorth Yorkshire County CouncilNorthumberland County CouncilNorthumberland DistrictsNorwich City CouncilShropshire County CouncilSomerset County CouncilWiltshire County Council |
| There will now be a 12 week consultation with the final decision being taken in July, with the new structure coming into place in April 2009. | There will now be a 12 week consultation with the final decision being taken in July, with the new structure coming into place in April 2009. |
| Local authorities had to fulfil criteria relating to affordability, strong leadership, improved public services and support. Twenty six councils had applied for unitary status. | Local authorities had to fulfil criteria relating to affordability, strong leadership, improved public services and support. Twenty six councils had applied for unitary status. |
| Local government minister Mr Woolas said an example of confusion was where grass verges were maintained by the parish council, the pavement was kept clean by the district council, while the county council looked after the road. | Local government minister Mr Woolas said an example of confusion was where grass verges were maintained by the parish council, the pavement was kept clean by the district council, while the county council looked after the road. |
| The restructuring was included in the Local Government White Paper last October. | The restructuring was included in the Local Government White Paper last October. |
| Mr Woolas said: "The bids that local authorities submitted show that they are up for improving the services they offer to their communities by making them more responsive, effective and efficient. | Mr Woolas said: "The bids that local authorities submitted show that they are up for improving the services they offer to their communities by making them more responsive, effective and efficient. |
| "We have been impressed by their quality, value for money and their cross section of support which is why we can now go much further and proceed to the next stage in thirteen areas." | "We have been impressed by their quality, value for money and their cross section of support which is why we can now go much further and proceed to the next stage in thirteen areas." |
| The ten unsuccessful bids came from Cornwall districts; Durham district; East Riding UA East Riding and Selby; Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council; Lancaster City Council; Mid Bedfordshire District Council and South Bedfordshire District; Oxford City Council; Pendle Borough Council and Burnley Borough Council; Preston City Council; and South Somerset District Council. |