What has the Government announced?
A key part of the Government’s ambition to simplify local government structures has now been announced, with boundaries agreed for new unitary authorities in three of the four Devolution Priority Areas: Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, and Norfolk and Suffolk. A decision on Sussex and Brighton has been delayed by the Secretary of State.
How the new system will work
These new “super unitaries” will replace the current two tier county and district system, delivering all local services through a single authority across a larger geographic area. The Government believes this model will reduce duplication, improve efficiency, and enable more joined up service delivery.
The new unitary authorities will sit beneath a Combined Mayoral Authority covering each area. While this body will not deliver services directly, it will provide strategic oversight, including planning policy.
Following consultation over the winter, the Government has now confirmed the options to be implemented. Subject to any judicial review, elections for the new unitary authorities are scheduled for 6th May 2027. These authorities will initially operate in shadow form while services transfer over the following year, before existing county and borough/district councils are abolished on 1st April 2028.
Greater Essex: a five council model confirmed
In Greater Essex, the Government has agreed with the five unitary authority model. This means Essex will go from 14 district and unitary authorities to five: West Essex, North East Essex, Mid Essex, South West Essex and South East Essex. The decision is politically significant, with the five council model more likely than the three authority model to return Labour councils in a favourable political environment.
Hampshire and the Solent: five authorities take shape
In Hampshire and the Solent, the Government agreed with the proposal put forward by Eastleigh, Fareham, Hart, Havant, Portsmouth, Rushmoor and Southampton. This creates five unitary authorities: North Hampshire, Mid Hampshire, South East Hampshire, South West Hampshire, and the Isle of Wight remaining as a separate unitary authority. This decision gives Labour a greater chance of retaining control of the South West Council than if more of the New Forest and Test Valley had been included in that authority.
Norfolk and Suffolk: cities retain their independence
For Norfolk and Suffolk, the Government agreed with the model of splitting each county into three, with Norwich and Ipswich retaining their independence while gaining some neighbouring areas. In Norfolk, this will create West Norfolk, Greater Norwich and East Norfolk. In Suffolk, it will create Central and Eastern Suffolk, Western Suffolk, and Ipswich and South Suffolk. As with Essex and Hampshire, there are clear political advantages for Labour in this model.
Sussex and Brighton: decision delayed
In Sussex and Brighton, the Secretary of State has decided that none of the proposals are acceptable. However, the Government has said it remains fully committed to delivering reorganisation in these areas, with elections in May 2027 and changes coming into effect from April 2028.
What happens next
This announcement marks a significant step in the reorganisation of local government, with important implications for service delivery, strategic governance and local political control. We’ll share further updates as details emerge.
by James Wood