Review of Local Government Reorganisation launched

A review of plans to streamline local government was announced yesterday (7th September) to ensure the process is robust and aligns with the new government’s plans to rewire the state.  

Following updated and privileged legal advice, ministers will review plans for Local Government Reorganisation.  

The review – which will be announced by the Secretary of State later today in Parliament – will include decisions on Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, which have been withdrawn in light of new legal advice.  

Plans for 14 other areas including Kent, along with Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex, will also be reviewed and paused while this is carried out. 

To reassure local leaders and communities while this review takes place, the government will confirm that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries and remains committed to effective and sustainable local government and simplifying these structures.  

The government's Rewiring the State White Paper on devolution will also set out plans to rewire the country and ensure effective and sustainable local government in future.

This comes on the back of the push to shift power out of Westminster and into communities, led by No10 North.  

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner told Parliament: “As we are now more determined than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as a new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain, without delay.    

“The Prime Minister told the House last week, he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’ and he asked me as his Communities Secretary to 'do that'.  

“In that context, in light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law. And secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new Prime Minister and any additional considerations.  

“I do not take this lightly. I recognise the huge amount of work that has already gone into progressing reorganisation in each of these areas, and I am very grateful for it.”  

Reorganisation in Surrey will not be affected by the review and the two new unitary authorities – East and West Surrey – will go live in April 2027.