Government to appoint leaders for new shadow councils in Northamptonshire - instead of local councillors

The government will appoint the new leaders and deputy leaders of the two new shadow unitary councils in Northamptonshire – taking the decision out of the hands of local councillors.
Northamptonshire will have two unitary authority councils - for the North and the West - from next yearNorthamptonshire will have two unitary authority councils - for the North and the West - from next year
Northamptonshire will have two unitary authority councils - for the North and the West - from next year

It was revealed last week that existing district and borough councillors would now be acting as the ‘shadow’ councillors for the authorities in the year prior to their official launch in April 2021.

That comes after elections for the shadow councillors, scheduled to take place in May, were cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

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But the government will be taking on the task of appointing who will lead the new shadow unitaries for a year, which had previously been expected to be voted on by local members.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service understands councillors were told about this move last week, but it has only been confirmed now through a joint statement of all the leaders of the existing district and borough councils, as well as the county council.

The statement reads: “Next week the government will publish, and legislate for, its response to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. It will include reference to the planned reorganisation of local government in Northamptonshire. We welcome the clarity this will provide.

“We expect that this legislation will outline the creation of two new shadow authorities to come into being in May this year. Just as they would have come into being had the local elections not been postponed.

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“Because of the delay to these elections, the current councillors across all district, borough and county councils, as elected representatives, will form these new organisations on an interim basis until elections are held on May 6, 2021.

“Due to this different approach and the absence of newly elected bodies, we also expect the government to nominate those local councillors who will be interim leaders and deputy leaders of the shadow authorities as opposed to these being selected locally. Those nominated will take on this responsibility until such time as elected representatives can be returned to the new councils.”

The two new unitaries will see the existing councils abolished next spring. The county council will be split into two, and effectively merge with the district and boroughs to provide all their different services under one roof.

Wellingborough, Kettering, East Northants and Corby will become North Northamptonshire Council; while Daventry, South Northamptonshire and Northampton Borough will become West Northamptonshire Council.

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The postponement of the elections this year means that the existing district and borough councillors will have to fulfil their new shadow roles for the new councils, and also continue to serve in their current positions. The vast majority of these councillors will have been in place for six years when their term ends next year, an extra two years on top of what they were elected for in 2015.

The joint statement added: “The coronavirus is likely to have a profound impact on our society. Its impact on local government reorganisation in Northamptonshire is minor in comparison to the hardships and tragedies impacting our communities. However, we welcome the clarity the government intends to provide so that work can continue on the creation of two new unitary councils.”