Local elections are now firmly back on for 30 councils in England on 7th May after the Government reversed its decision to allow areas undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) to postpone elections. What was already a complex electoral landscape with on and off elections has been reshaped again, at almost the last possible moment.
What Changed?
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed had approved election delays, arguing that it would free up capacity within councils preparing for new unitary structures planned for 2027–28 and that some councils had raised concerns regarding the cost of running elections amidst reorganisation. Some councillors faced the prospect of extended terms lasting six or seven years.
However, strong criticism from some councils, opposition parties, and electoral administrators, combined with a High Court challenge led by Reform UK prompted a sudden rethink.
Legal advice received days before the hearing forced the Government to abandon the postponement and confirm that all elections will proceed on 7 May 2026.
The U-turn sparked immediate political backlash: Reform UK claimed victory and said the delay undermined democracy, while the Liberal Democrats called it a humiliating retreat. Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the situation as further evidence of government incompetence. Labour, meanwhile, now faces added scrutiny over its approach to devolution and electoral reform.
A Logistical Sprint for Councils
For local authorities, the reversal presents significant operational pressure. Many had already stood down election preparations and must now:
- Secure venues and polling staff
- Restart candidate and voter communications
- Reestablish timelines for notices, nominations, and count
The Government has pledged £63 million to support councils in reorganisation areas as they reinstate election plans at short notice.
However, electoral teams warn that months of planning time have been lost, raising concerns about capacity, risk, and resourcing, all while councils continue progressing complex structural reforms.
The full list of councils hosting elections in May are as follows (with elections taking place following the Government U-turn in bold):
County Councils:
- Essex
- Hampshire
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
- West Sussex
District/Borough Councils:
- Adur
- Basildon
- Basingstoke & Deane
- Brentwood
- Broxbourne
- Burnley
- Cambridge
- Cannock Chase
- Cheltenham
- Cherwell
- Chorley
- Colchester
- Crawley
- Eastleigh
- Epping Forest
- Exeter
- Fareham
- Gosport
- Harlow
- Hart
- Hastings
- Havant
- Huntingdonshire
- Hyndburn
- Ipswich
- Lincoln
- Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Norwich
- Nuneaton & Bedworth
- Oxford
- Pendle
- Preston
- Redditch
- Rochford
- Rugby
- Rushmoor
- South Cambridgeshire
- St Albans
- Stevenage
- Tamworth
- Three Rivers
- Tunbridge Wells
- Watford
- Welwyn Hatfield
- West Lancashire
- West Oxfordshire
- Winchester
- Worthing
LGR Continues Beneath the Turbulence
The broader programme of local government reform remains unchanged, with government consultations on reform across 14 areas with ‘two-tier’ structures are ongoing to determine the future shape and geographies of new unitary authorities. The new unitary authorities are scheduled to be established from April 2027–28.
Surrey — already on an accelerated timetable, now offers an early view of the challenges ahead: elections, shadow authorities, and reorganisation activity all happening simultaneously.
What does this mean for planning in the short term?
This U-turn doesn’t simplify the road ahead. Instead, it underscores how politically sensitive, operationally demanding, and fastmoving local government reform has become.
Key consequences of this U-turn to consider:
- Heightened political sensitivity: high profile planning decisions attract greater scrutiny, with committees and councillors more alert to public perception and political risk.
- Increased risk aversion on high profile schemes: controversial or high impact applications may face tougher questioning and a reduced appetite for approval, even where policy grounds are strong.
- Purdah restrictions on engagement: during purdah, councils must limit publicfacing activity, constraining engagement, communication, and in some cases progression of sensitive planning matters.
- Delays or deferrals at planning committee: committees may postpone decisions on borderline or contentious applications to avoid political exposure during the preelection period.
- Reduced councillor availability and continuity: election campaigning, turnover in elected members, and shifting committee roles can disrupt established relationships and slow decision-making.
- Additional pressure from ongoing local government reorganisation: where reorganisation is underway, councils face simultaneous structural change and election preparation, further stretching capacity and increasing uncertainty.
- Compressed timelines for planning officers: officer workloads intensify as teams balance statutory deadlines, committee cycles, and the constraints of purdah, often resulting in slower processing and reduced capacity for proactive engagement.
How Cavendish Can Support
With elections reinstated and LGR accelerating, organisations working with local government face heightened uncertainty. Cavendish is already supporting clients to track political change, understand new governance structures, and anticipate how reforms will reshape opportunities and risks across England.
Get in touch today to discuss how we can support your business to navigate shifting political landscapes.