The Government has announced that it is strongly considering proposals to merge all the Bucks district councils into a single central authority.

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, the Parliamentary under-secretary of state for Housing, Communities and Local Government, submitted a written statement to Parliament on Monday, that read: "I am satisfied that this new single council, if established, is likely to improve local government and service delivery in the county – generating savings, increasing financial resilience, facilitating a more strategic and holistic approach to planning and housing challenges, and sustaining good local services.

"I am also satisfied that across Buckinghamshire as a whole there is a good deal of local support for this new council."

While Lord Bourne has yet to make his final decision, he indicated he was 'minded' to see Bucks become a unitary authority. This would see the Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, High Wycombe, and South Bucks District Councils scrapped and replaced with a single central authority. The plans would still require Parlimentary approval before any changes are made.

But all of the district councils disagreed heaped scorn on the plans. A joint statement on behalf of all Bucks districts read: "While we are extremely disappointed, the “minded to” decision is not set in stone, and as the process allows, we will be making the strongest possible representations to the Secretary of State that this decision is not the right one.

"We don’t believe that this decision is in the best interest of our local residents, businesses, community groups, parish councils and various other stakeholders across the county and, based on our own engagement, we don’t believe it has strong local support."

Buckinghamshire Country Council, on the other hand, has eagerly welcomed the plans. BCC leader Martin Tett said: "The new council will simplify the current local government setup, save many millions of pounds to plough back into frontline services and enable services to be provided for residents at a truly local level.

"I’d encourage as many people as possible to let the government know their views. Together we can make a single unitary council happen, which will not only improve residents’ lives now, but crucially will create a Buckinghamshire that is fit and thriving for the future."