HL Deb 19 January 1994 vol 551 cc50-1WA
Lord Brougham and Vaux

asked Her Majesty's Government:

If they have reached any decisions on the Local Government Commission's final recommendations for Cleveland.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Arran)

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Environment has today written to Sir John Banham, Chairman of the Local Government Commission, giving the decision on the commission's recommendations for Cleveland as set out in its report,Final Recommendations on the Future Local Government of Cleveland and Durham.

After considering the commission's recommendations and the representations made, we have concluded that effective and convenient local government in Cleveland would be achieved by abolishing Cleveland County Council and establishing four unitary authorities for the area (Commission Recommendation 1), and that this would reflect the identities and interests of local people. We have accepted in principle that the County of Cleveland should be abolished, but we shall defer a final decision until we have reached decisions on the commission's forthcoming recommendations for Durham and North Yorkshire.

The remaining recommendations for Cleveland have been accepted as submitted, except that we are still considering the proposal that we direct the commission to undertake a further parish review.

In agreeing with the establishment of unitary authorities based on existing districts, we have given careful consideration to representations which we received about the implications for those services and functions currently performed on a wider basis. Our decision is based on a presumption that the authorities which are to become unitary will work together to plan for these services and functions, and will forge working links with other bodies such as health authorities.

The boundaries of the four proposed unitary authorities, which we intend to establish in April 1995, correspond to those of the existing district councils. Where the boundaries of unitary authorities and existing authorities coincide in this way we propose as a general rule to consult the local authorities concerned about the desirability of holding elections for the whole council in the May preceding the 1 April reorganisation date. Accordingly we are now consulting the majority and minority groups on each district council, and Cleveland County Council, to seek their views about whether or not elections should be held in May 1994. My right honourable friend will make a further announcement about the outcome of that consultation.

An order giving effect to the commission's recommendations for Cleveland, with the aforementioned modifications, will be laid before the House in due course. A copy of my right honourable friend's letter to Sir John Banham has been placed in the Library.