A single council for Wiltshire is due to be formed in April 2009, replacing the existing district and county councils.

Following a bid by Wiltshire County Council to be granted unitary status, the Government announced in July that the single authority had been approved - one of nine nationally.

The new organisation - likely to be called Wiltshire Council - will combine the services and assets of West Wiltshire, Kennet, Salisbury and North Wiltshire district councils with those of the county council.

There will be no immediate changes from the public perspective, with the new authority coming into existence from April 2009 - elections will be held the following month. This start date allows time for the Boundary Commission to carry out its review to achieve new electoral divisions represented by a single member.

West Wiltshire District Council, along with Kennet and Salisbury, opposed the unitary bid and have been seeking a legal challenge of the Government's decision. A judicial review of the process, led by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, has been dismissed by the High Court, although they were granted leave to appeal.

Chief executive Andrew Pate said: "The High Court decision was disappointing, but it does not necessarily mean the end for our case. We are taking legal advice about the various options that are open to us, and a decision will be made by Cabinet in November. In the meantime, we are working with our colleagues at the county council and the other districts to ensure that the transition is as smooth as possible for both staff and customers."

11:43am Tuesday 11th December 2007

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