Will Northumberland pass the acid test?
TODAY (Wednesday) marks the biggest shake-up in local democracy in one single day since the Seventies - when 44 Councils will be replaced by just nine serving more than three million residents.
From the tip of Cornwall to the coast of Northumberland, it is claimed that this move will boost services, cut red tape and waste and capitalise on stronger leadership and value for money, crucial in tough economic times.
Stripping out a layer of local government will also strip out public confusion about who to speak to about their local services - from bin collections to business, and lighting to libraries.
And the Councils will have a renewed emphasis on making multimillion pound annual savings, better services and stronger leadership to tackle key issues in their communities like the impact of the downturn or climate change, and to put local people centre stage in decision making.
Nearly two thirds of England, as a result will be under 'unitary' governance- like Scotland and Wales - with the North East being the first English region to be fully unitary.
Local Government Minister, John Healey said:"This not a cosmetic make-over or just a new logo on a Council Tax bill. Nor is it just a cost cutting exercise.
"It's about the nine areas making the clear case that they can serve their residents better by top-to-bottom reform, and stripping out a layer of local government.
"The acid test now will be whether these Councils deliver their promises, including better services, leadership and achieving more for less, as I, and more importantly their residents, expect.
"Staff have put a lot of hard work into ensuring a smooth handover and day one implementation. I'm confident that this reform will set a new standard for local government in the future."
The nine Councils will have a renewed focus on improving people's quality of life from getting a grip on graffiti, helping housing tenants and reviving the roads to championing the regions' economy.
Key pledges include: Putting the customer first with better, clearer and more accessible services. In all areas, taxi rules will be simplified so customers won't face a hike in price if they hop over an old district council border. Councils will tackle the 'telephone number lottery' with a single number and website for residents to shortcut the maze of services from birth registrations to recycling. Council housing in all parts of the authority area will be offered to residents rather than their immediate area.
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