A district leader has failed to rule out the possibility of taking legal action against the ground-breaking decision to create a ‘super council’ in Bucks.

This week both South Bucks and Chiltern district councils held meetings for the first time since secretary of state James Brokenshire confirmed plans for a unitary authority in the county.

The district councils have long-opposed the plans, instead campaigning for two unitary authorities, and previously said they would consider legal action if the proposals were given the green light.

During South Bucks District Council’s (SBDC) meeting on Wednesday, Cllr Barry Harding asked leader, Cllr Nick Naylor, if he was able to rule out a legal challenge against the decision.

Cllr Harding said: “Can the leader now confirm that he will fully endorse the will and decision from the secretary of state, and that SBDC taxpayers will now not be expected to fund any aspirational wishes to judicially review the decision of the secretary of state to merely satisfy the leader’s previously held view that Bucks would be best served by a dual unitary option?”

Cllr Naylor said it is “premature” to say what the “next appropriate steps” will be, however carrying out a judicial review “will be a matter for the council” to decide – adding members will be updated in due course.

He said: “Until more information is available, including the detailed content of draft parliamentary orders, it is premature to determine what the next appropriate steps are for this council to take to ensure the best interests of our residents and others are best represented.

“However I have previously indicated that a decision to challenge the secretary of state’s decision will be a matter for this council, and I will keep council informed as more information becomes available.”

Chiltern District councillors joined together on Tuesday where leader, Isobel Darby, assured members it is “business as usual” at the council while politicians establish the next steps towards creating a unitary authority.

She added the leaders of Chiltern, Wycombe, South Bucks and Aylesbury Vale district councils are still “keeping [their] options open and taking advice” to ensure the new council “is the very best for our residents and communities.”

The district and county councils will now be scrapped and replaced with one unitary authority – which is due to be launched in April 2020.

Cllr Darby said: “It is very important to note in [the minister of housing, communities and local government’s] written statement he talked about the creation of a new single unitary council, which means that we will not have any continuing authorities.

“All five authorities will all end and a new authority will be born.

“This gives us all the chance to collectively create a new authority, not only with new structures and processes, but most importantly with a new culture.

“So what happens next? At this stage we are keeping our options open, we are taking advice to make sure the new authority is the very best of our residents and communities – and that is the most important thing, because that is what we are all here for.”