The government has today announced the local government reorganisation plans for the following 14 areas:
- Oxfordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Kent and Medway
- East Sussex, Brighton and Hove
- Gloucestershire
- Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
- Lancashire, Blackburn and Blackpool
- Derbyshire and Derby
- Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland
- Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire
- Nottinghamshire and Nottingham
- Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
- Warwickshire
- Worcestershire
Where was missed?
The decisions for West Sussex and for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were supposed to be announced today. However the government has decided to postpone the final decision for these areas. This is because they say they need more time to consider the options.
In both areas there is disagreement between the government and local council leaders over the formation of the new councils and the government will be concerned that they don’t set up a situation that could be judicially review.
The minister could eventually proceed with one of the existing proposals, or they could put forward a new plan for consultation, as seen with the case of East Sussex, Brighton and Hove. There are no timeframes yet about when councils in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and West Sussex could receive the final decision.
What's next?
In May 2027, elections for the shadow authorities will take place, and the new local authorities will become legal entities by April 2028. From this point, current local authorities in the affected areas will be abolished and functions will be handed over to the new authorities.
What is local government reorganisation?
The government is streamlining local government through local government reorganisation (LGR), by abolishing the two-tier local government structure (district and county councils) and replacing it with a single tier of unitary authorities, meaning services are delivered by one council rather than two.
The government's vision is that by 2029, all local authorities in England will be unitary authorities.
If you want to learn more about the decisions and how it will affect your organisation, please contact us.