Unitary Status and Its Effect on Waste Collection

In December 2024, the Labour Government released their whitepaper: “English Devolution White Paper, Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth”. It included the announcement of their aim to achieve countrywide unitary status. This restructure would mean that any remaining two-tier areas in England will be united into single-tier authorities.

The shift towards fewer, larger authorities is part of an overall drive towards cost-saving and increased efficiencies. It has implications for several areas of public service, but particularly waste collection, which is what we’ll be discussing today.

What Is Unitary Status?

As it stands, England is divided into local areas which are overseen by either a single-tier authority, or a two-tier authority. Two-tier authorities are composed of a district and a county council, with several district councils operating under one county council.

County councils manage services such as education, social care, and transport, while district councils are responsible for local services like housing, planning, and waste collection.

Unitary authorities consolidate these responsibilities into a single-tier structure, meaning that a single council is responsible for delivering all local government services within its area.

The move towards single-tier authorities is not a new concept. Previous Governments have also aimed for restructure with 3 attempts made between1992 and 2021. The current Government acknowledge that theirs won’t be an overnight change, but that they “will deliver an ambitious first wave of reorganisation in this Parliament”.

Why Are Authorities Moving Towards Unitary Status?

The countrywide reform aims to streamline services and management structures for the sake of accountability, consistency, and efficiency (both in terms of funding and environmental issues). The move also falls in line with Labour’s push for more localised decision-making, the belief being that it will empower local communities and improve service delivery.

The reaction to the restructure has been largely positive, but with a few prerequisites:

“It is imperative that reform ensures that new unitary councils have the size and scale necessary to deliver substantial long-term savings, minimise disruption to care services and maintain strong tax bases well into the future. Any decisions on local government reorganisation by ministers must be evidence-based and ensure that county councils are not split into multiple small unitary councils.” The County Councils Network

Others have expressed some concern over potential effects on rural communities in particular:

“It will lead to geographically vast councils that are remote from local communities…This level of population may be suitable in large cities. But in most places, we do not think it is workable – especially in rural communities which risk losing access to services and viable local democracy.” District Councils’ Network

Changes to Waste Collection Under Unitary Authorities

Waste collection is one of the most visible and essential services provided by local councils. The shift to unitary status will affect waste collection in several ways:

• Standardisation of services

Under a two-tier system, waste collection services often vary between districts within the same county. Different schedules, recycling policies, and collection methods can confuse residents.

A unitary authority brings uniformity, ensuring consistent waste collection and recycling policies across the area. This benefits residents who move between districts, as well as businesses operating across multiple locations.

• Economies of scale

By consolidating waste collection services under one authority, councils can negotiate better contracts with waste management companies. Larger contracts can lead to cost savings and improved service delivery.

• Investment in infrastructure:

Unitary authorities may  be able to reduce cost in several areas, freeing up more resources for investment in modernising waste collection infrastructure.

• Improved accountability:

Having a single authority makes it easier for residents to address concerns and hold the council accountable – there is no confusion over whether issues fall under the county or district council’s remit.

• Potential efficiencies:

These may come in the form of reductions in the number of depots required to service the area, the number of middle-managers needed to lead staff, and the number of vehicles required. Mileage and fuel may also be reduced, along with the associated administrative costs.

Challenges of Transitioning to Unitary Status

The benefits of unitary status are clear, but transitioning is not without its challenges. The initial disruption of merging two councils, multiple teams and different ways of working will be tricky to navigate. Temporary disruptions to services are quite likely and residents may see delays during the transition period.

Staff restructuring will be unavoidable. Redundancies may follow and gaps in skills and expertise may be identified. Careful planning and transparent communication will be key. Existing waste collection contracts will be renegotiated which can be time consuming and legally complex.

On the less tangible side, some feel there may be something of a local identity crisis in areas where councils have formed a strong connection with their communities. There are concerns around the loss of local representation, especially in rural areas.

Lessons from Recent Transitions

Recent examples of completed transitions include Somerset and North Yorkshire. They successfully switched to unitary status in 2023, bringing significant changes to how local services are managed. The experiences of Somerset and North Yorkshire provide valuable insights into how unitary status affects waste collection:

Before becoming a unitary authority, waste collection services in Somerset were handled by a joint waste partnership between the county council and district councils. The transition to a single authority streamlined operations and led to the adoption of a county-wide recycling programme.

North Yorkshire the council faced challenges in aligning existing contracts and ensuring a smooth handover. The move to unitary status did, however, standardise waste collection services, addressing long-standing disparities between urban and rural areas.

For residents, the consolidation of services has led to improved clarity around rules and schedules, with many reporting an appreciation for having a singular point of contact. With savings being made in waste management, many have also seen an improvement in services across the board. Recycling rates have also improved due to standardisation and improved infrastructure.

Looking Ahead

As more areas consider transitioning to unitary status, the impact on waste collection will remain a key consideration. Unitary authorities have the potential to transform waste collection services, benefiting residents, businesses, and the environment. However, success depends on careful planning, effective communication, and a commitment to delivering high-quality services.

Integrated Skills have helped many councils with their forecasting and feasibility studies. Our RouteSmart technology can determine how may vehicles will be needed, the crew levels required and the depots needed to cover the whole area.

If you’d like expert support for your transition to unitary status, get in touch today.