The Boundary Committee for England's advice on the establishment of new unitary authorities in Devon, Suffolk and Norfolk has now been further delayed to October, following a recent high court judgement.
Our participation inquiry 'Strengthening the role of local councillors' found that creating unitary councils could strengthen and clarify local democracy and accountability, helping rural local government to punch its weight with city-regions and regional bodies.
The inquiry's final report recommended a structure of new unitaries working closely with a renewed network of empowered parish and town councils.
There's a lot for parish and town councils and their County Associations of Local Councils (CALCs) to gain from early engagement in the unitary council set-up process.
Together with NALC we've produced information & guidance to help councils engage with unitary authorities:
Good Beginnings: Securing Effective Engagement for Town and Parish Councils
Securing effective engagement for parish and town councils with unitary structures and processes
Service Delegations to Parish and Town Councils: Guidance note
Clustering by Parish and Town Councils: Guidance Note
We're also producing a checklist which will be available soon
http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/items/4915
seen at 16:20, 21 July in Commission for Rural Communities.