Upcoming structural changes to local government in England
Summary
Proposed structural changes to local government in England were set out in the English Devolution White Paper published by the UK government on 16 December 2024. This wave of local government restructuring—following previous changes in 1995–1998, 2009 and 2019–2023—is referred to as Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) by the UK government. As with earlier waves of reorganisation, areas where services are provided by both county councils and district councils will instead be served by single-tier unitary authorities. It is intended that the first elections to the new councils will be on 6 May 2027, and the councils will begin operation on 1 April 2028. For Surrey, an accelerated timeline is planned, with elections on 7 May 2026, and the new councils beginning operation on 1 April 2027. The process runs alongside, but separate to, the expansion of combined authorities to more of the country as part of English devolution.
Originally created by Dn9ahx
12/3/2024, 11:46:31 AM
Modified
5/18/2026, 9:33:46 PM
Recent revisions
/* Surrey */ rm redundant heading
Updating link.
Updated links
/* Surrey */ elections in Surrey have occured now
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Update Summary table to show Sussex Further technical consultation now started.
Government has started Sussex further technical consultation.
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Adding approximate dates for Sussex further consultation from MHCLG letter to Chief Executives.
Adding Proposals Maps for Kent and updating Proposal 5a description for clarity and consistency.
Kent proposals, minor correction to Option 4d description.
Corrected link
Adding Proposals Maps for impact on Berkshire of Oxfordshire/West Berkshire proposals.
Adding Proposals Maps for Hertfordshire.
Adding Proposals Maps for Nottinghamshire.
Updated version of Nathanbeve’s Surrey proposals map to show all proposals submitted, for consistency with all other invitation areas.
Adding Proposals Maps for Cambridgeshire.
Fixed typo
