Mark Smulian

2 months ago | lgcplus.com | Mark Smulian

Buses in most parts of the country were privatised in 1985, but most combined authorities are now seeking to take back control Bus franchising is an idea that has taken a very long time coming, but most mayoral combined authorities are now at least looking at following Greater Manchester in taking over local bus networks. This process will be helped once the Bus Services Bill is through parliament, since that will empower transport authorities of any kind to impose bus franchising.

2 months ago | lgcplus.com | Kirsty Weakley |Caitlin Webb |Mark Smulian |Andrew Vaux

All 21 two-tier areas had been asked to send in progress reports explaining what progress they have been made since the government said they must bring forward proposals for new unitary authorities. So far there is little consensus about the best way ahead, and most areas those where all councils have agreed on one submission have done so by incorporating multiple options within that document or none at all. LGC looks at how many submissions have been made and how many options are still in play.

Mar 27, 2025 | lgcplus.com | Mark Smulian

Reporter Mark Smulian summarises the history of local government reorganisationWhen great Saxon lords delineated their land holdings they can little have guessed that their decisions would set off monumental rows 1,500 years later about local government reorganisation. Ask most people in England where they are from and the answer will be a large town or city or a historic county.

Mar 26, 2025 | lgcplus.com | Mark Smulian

Oxfordshire councils are set to put three unitary reorganisation options to the government, two of which involve the adjacent unitary West Berkshire Council. The three options outlined in the joint response for the area are:an Oxfordshire county unitary, population 750,200;a North Oxfordshire Council comprising Cherwell and West Oxfordshire DCs and Oxford City Council, population 450,836.

Mar 25, 2025 | lgcplus.com | Mark Smulian

Carolyn Williamson is to step down as Hampshire CC’s chief executive in July, after more than 40 years in the public sector. She joined Hampshire in 2010 and became the county’s first female chief executive four years ago. Her previous roles included deputy chief executive; chief financial officer and director of corporate resources.