UNITARY CAMPAIGN: The numbers game

Going unitary would unlock millions in savings PNL-160323-153202001

Here is a a lowdown of what a unitary authority could mean, if it came to Bucks.

WHAT IS UNITARY?

Where a council provides all services itself, unlike the current two tier structure in Bucks, where there is a county council and district council.

WHERE ARE WE AT IN BUCKS?

In 2007 attempts to have one county-wide authority failed. In 2014 Bucks Business First (BBF) produced a report which said the best option was a Bucks-wide unitary authority (ie, scrapping the districts). Soon after, Aylesbury Vale District Council said it was examining whether a Vale unitary, taking on the county’s services, was feasible. The business case is yet to be released and a planned referendum in spring 2016 has not materialised. The county criticised the breakaway bid. Leader Martin Tett said he was in favour of one Bucks authority.

HOW MUCH COULD BE SAVED?

The 2014 BBF report said a single Bucks authority would make savings of up to £20m a year. AVDC is yet to release its business case, but using the BBF figures in February 2015 it estimated that a Vale unitary could save around £5.5m annually.