Making the most of it: Unitarianism, hyperlocal democratic renewal and community empowerment

This report looks at the democratic implications of the government’s agenda for local government unitarisation under the English devolution and community empowerment bill. 

While proposals to simplify governance and support mayoral devolution have been broadly welcomed, the planned abolition of remaining district councils – affecting around 29 per cent of England’s population – has resulted in concerns about the future of local democracy, representation and community voice.

However, unitarisation presents a rare opportunity for democratic renewal at the local level if accompanied by intentional reforms. Drawing on insights from case study research with Brereton and Gaunless Gateway Big Locals, as well as existing examples and evidence of good practice in local government, it identifies three key areas for democratic innovation.

1. Reforming and expanding hyperlocal councils to ensure democracy ‘within walking distance’.
2. Establishing inclusive, empowered and well-resourced neighbourhood boards with 50 per cent or more community representation. In the same way that mayors will be granted the right to request powers from central government, communities themselves – in the form of hyperlocal councils and newly established neighbourhood boards – should have the right to request powers from unitary and strategic authorities.
3. Councils adopting bold participatory democratic practices. For councillors, the government should legislate to enable remote, digital voting. For the public, councils should increasingly use approaches such as co-production, participatory budgeting and citizens’ assemblies as new default ways of working. 

The government’s wider plans within the English devolution and community empowerment bill will move powers out of Westminster, not least with the rollout of new strategic mayoral authorities across the country. 

Local government reorganisation need not result in a weakening of democracy at the local level; its democratic consequences will depend on the choices made during implementation. If power is meaningfully passed down to local communities and they are effectively engaged, unitarisation can serve to strengthen local democracy and herald vital democratic renewal at the local level. This opportunity must be grasped.