Central Government believes that reducing tiers of local government from two to one will provide residents with simpler structures and clearer accountabilities to the public, provide a stronger platform for place-based public service reform and make it easier to target funding based on need and deprivation.
On 21 March, two submissions involving Crawley regarding Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation were made to Minister Jim McMahon.
The first, submitted by Crawley Borough Council, was on behalf of all the local authorities in West Sussex. This did not set out any firm proposals at this stage, but rather provided a route map by which firm proposals will emerge by the Government's 26 September deadline for final proposals.
This West Sussex interim submission outlined the collaborative approach between authorities, set out the progress made and sought guidance on several critical issues in determining the optimal way forward
One of those issues was the subject of the second submission. Made by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, this was a joint submission with Crawley Borough Council highlighting the strength of our joint economy, which at £13.2bn is bigger than Brighton's or Croydon's, but is not spoken about as often as it should be.
It does not however go as far as proposing a unitary nor suggest whether Crawley should sit within the new Sussex or Surrey Mayoral Combined Authorities. The question being asked is the same as the question raised within the West Sussex submission.
We have done this because we want to ensure that this town is as well positioned as possible in whatever arrangements are to follow. It is right that we properly explore all options to ensure our residents get the best possible outcome.
In the meantime, we continue to work closely and collaboratively with our West Sussex and wider Sussex authorities to develop unitary proposals. We anticipate bringing options to July’s Full Council for debate and to launch a wider consultation before that, prior to further debate in September and a decision on what final proposal will be submitted.
This is a time of change in Crawley and we must deal with it as effectively as we can.