Government announces delay to Local Government re-organisation
The UK government is now reviewing its decisions on local authority re-organisation with one of those areas affected being Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The government has announced it will review its local government reorganisation decisions across England, following legal advice and to ensure LGR is robust and aligns with new government priorities.
The review – which was announced by the Secretary of State in Parliament – includes decisions on Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, which have been withdrawn in light of new legal advice. Plans for 14 other areas, along with Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex, are also being reviewed and paused while this is carried out.
Despite this the government has confirmed 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 stated:
'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 said:
"As we are now determined more than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as the new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain."
Oxford City Council said it was waiting to understand the implications for what this means for local government reorganisation in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. The Leader of Oxford City Council, Cllr Susan Brown said she was disappointed:
"We are disappointed in this decision. We note the government has said it 'remains committed to effective and sustainable local government and simplifying these structures', and will be seeking further clarity.
"We hope the government will provide this urgently, given the impact this announcement may have on how we deploy our staff and resources. Considerable work has taken place already to prepare our communities for LGR in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire along the lines of the government’s announcement in July.
"The three-council model is a positive step for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with benefits for residents and the services they receive, and we are ready to deliver it for our communities."
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