Bucks businesses have welcomed the government’s approval of ground breaking plans to scrap councils in Bucks in favour of a ‘super council’.

Chairman of Bucks Business First (BBF), Michael Garvey says the county’s business community “wholeheartedly supports efficient local government", adding the decision will “ensure the best use of taxpayers’ money”.

The business hub previously called for an independent commission to be set up to look into creating a single-tier council system, as an “urgent review” of the current structure was needed.

Mr Garvey said: “Buckinghamshire’s business community wholeheartedly supports efficient local government and public services and today’s decision will help ensure best use is made of taxpayers’ money for the benefit of businesses and residents alike.

“Buckinghamshire Business First looks forward to working alongside all of our local authority partners in supporting a smooth transition to the new unitary arrangements.

"A report commissioned in 2014 by Buckinghamshire Business First suggested that over £20m a year could be saved by streamlining the county’s five local authorities into one. The research, conducted by Ernst & Young, concluded that annual savings of £20.7m could be made, as well as a potential five year net saving of over £58m.”

The chairman of Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (BTVLEP) has also supported the government’s decision – saying the new council will “support the delivery of economic growth for the county”.

He said: “Yesterday’s announcement and the establishment of a single unitary authority in Buckinghamshire will provide focused leadership and strong local influence at a time when there are such exciting economic growth opportunities across the Oxford to Cambridge Arc. BTVLEP look forward to working with all of our partners to support the establishment of the new authority.”