Commons agrees unitary authority

MPs have voted through plans to axe the county council, and four district councils, in Wiltshire.

The House of Commons voted to create a single unitary authority, alongside the existing borough council for Swindon.

The new council is expected to launch in 2009. It has been claimed that the change could save taxpayers £15m each year by 2012.

The four district councils to be abolished are Kennet, West Wiltshire, North Wiltshire and Salisbury.

They are broadly responsible for areas such as leisure, street cleaning, planning and refuse collection.