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One Council - frequently asked questions
Index of Content
General
Q. Do we know the outcome of the judicial review and will it affect our process at all?
November 2007 - The judicial review initiated by Shrewsbury & Atcham borough council has now been heard, with the judge dismissing the claimants' challenge on all three grounds, although granting leave to appeal. We do not yet know if an appeal will go ahead. If it does, it will probably be the new year before it is heard, with a decision not likely to be reached before Spring 2008.
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill has now received royal assent. This means the legislative framwork is now in place to create unitary authorities.
Q. Can you explain what measures are in place to safeguard staff in relation to secondment and recruitment?
There are three objectives over the next 18 months/two years
- safeguard the employment opportunities for permanent staff
- keep enough staff to keep the day job going
- be sufficiently staffed to not constrain the job of the new authority
There will be opportunities to get involved in the programme without having to forfeit existing jobs.
There will be a restriction on permanent appointments (not absolute – there will be some areas where permanent appointments are necessary to keep the service running) and vacancies will be filled with temporary contracts and secondments where possible. It is important to understand that there will be no job freezes.
Policies have been put in place over the last two months and we will look to develop more arrangements over the next year.
Q. Will the office location of staff change at all?
Yes I think it will for some but subject to important caveats. We intend to make services to the public easier, but there have been some stories in the press which are not true – eg. you will have to take all library books back to Trowbridge. Services in the towns and villages will remain but we will look at making better use of existing buildings and services. For example a one stop shop in towns for all services.
It will be different for central and support services though. We will be looking at location for the shared services team and will be consulting staff.
Q. Why are we bothering to move to one council?
One Council will be cheaper to run than the current five councils, saving money on everything from senior managers to IT systems. One customer service telephone number to call; one website where you can do everything from renewing your library book to booking a squash court and paying your council tax; one service centre in your town where you can talk to the person you need.
And One Council will join up services which are currently provided by two separate councils - e.g. collecting the rubbish (district council) and getting rid of it (county council).
Q. How will the public know who does what?
Once the new council is up and running, there will only be one customer service telephone number to call and one website to visit, which will remove any confusion as to who is responsible for what service.
Q. Will there be reductions in council tax as a result of having one council?
We cannot predict precise levels ofcouncil tax for future years, but the planned savings and efficiencies will enable us to keep council tax lower than if 5 councils remained.
Q. Will we lose local services?
No service to the public will be centralised as a result of moving to one Council.One Council will give us the opportunity to consider whether various services in one town can be provided more conveniently for the public by bringing them together in one place in the town; but local services will continue to be provided locally
Q. Will all meetings where the public can attend take place in Trowbridge?
No, Council and Cabinet meetings will take place in different locations around the county so that people have the opportunity to attend.
Q. How will town and parish councils be affected?
There will be more opportunity for involvement in local decision making and responsibility for services such as markets, street cleaning, litter collection, management of parks and community halls.
Q. Will we go back to weekly bin collections?
Bin collections and recycling will be looked at with a view to making improvements.
Q. Who is my local councillor going to be?
Local elections will take place in May 2009 to elect new councillors.
Timeline
Q. When will the new council start?
We have proposed that the new council will come into existence in April 2009. Our aim is to have elections for the new council in May 2009. The Department for Communities and Local Government is currently considering this timetable.
Transition
Q. What happens next?
Our priority is to carry on providing good quality services so it will be business as usual. Consultation between the district and county councils will start as soon as possible. We will then be working together on a detailed review of services, staffing and premises.
Q. Won’t the plans for unitary councils be affected by the judicial review?
DCLG has been keen to continue with the unitary decision. The judicial review initiated by Shrewsbury & Atcham borough council has now been heard, with the judge dismissing the claimants' challenge on all three grounds, although granting leave to appeal. We do not yet know if an appeal will go ahead. If it does, it will probably be the new year before it is heard, with a decision not likely to be reached before Spring 2008.
Q. What will the new council be called?
At a council meeting on Monday 24th September 2007 it was agreed that the new council will be called Wiltshire Council
Premises
Q. Will we have to travel to Trowbridge if we want to visit the Council?
No, there will be local offices around the county, together with services contact points in local libraries.
Q. Surely the new organisation will not need all the current offices - what will happen to them?
A property strategy will review premises countywide and reduce the number of properties. It will look at locations and suitability of buildings and ensure they are in the best location to provide the right access and services for the public.
Information
Q. Where can I find out more?
The most up to date information will always be on our website at http://www.onecouncilforwiltshire.co.uk or you can telephone the Programme Office on 01225 713017 or email us at onecouncil@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Contact Details
By Post
Corporate Communications
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By Email
By Telephone
01225 713110 / 718081
By Hand
County Hall, Trowbridge
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
