More people across England are set to benefit from streamlined services, clearer accountability, and an end to wasteful duplication thanks to the latest round of local government reorganisation.
Ministers have today [16 July] confirmed plans to streamline two-tier councils in a further 14 areas including in Kent and Medway, Hertfordshire and Nottinghamshire and Nottingham, building on the work already underway across the country.
Local Government Reorganisation will create stronger foundations for economic growth by enabling councils to provide better and more joined-up support for residents. It will lead to the creation of stronger unitary councils, paving the way for deeper devolution and stronger local leadership across England, and put a stop to unnecessary duplication.
This means one planning team, one finance department, one set of senior leaders instead of many, leading to more streamlined and accessible services for residents and freeing up money that can be reinvested directly into local services like road maintenance and social care.
The reforms will see 134 councils streamlined into 38 unitary authorities, delivering better, more efficient public services that reflect communities’ needs and freeing up funding to be invested back into local priorities.
Secretary of State Steve Reed said
We’re shaking up local government so that people get the services they deserve – cleaner streets, better care, and money spent on what matters most to local people.
These reforms create stronger, more efficient councils that lay the foundations for real devolution and the economic growth that will bring new jobs and opportunities to communities right across England.
Local Government Reorganisation will unlock growth across different cities, from Preston to Leicester, giving local leaders the tools they need to tackle housing pressures, attract investment and build a better future for local people.
The reforms are tailored to the specific needs of each city. In Exeter, this includes updating city boundaries that have remained unchanged since 1966, while in Derby it means supporting the area’s industrial strengths by aligning housing and infrastructure.
By streamlining how local government works, these cities will be better placed to make decisions that truly reflect the needs of the people they serve.
Overall, Local Government Reorganisation is an ongoing process to deliver simplified and more efficient local authorities, reduce wasted spending on bureaucracy, and end the situation whereby local people are dealing with fragmented services across county and district councils.
Decisions will be made on West Sussex, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in due course to allow ministers more time to consider options ahead of making final decisions.
LIST OF AREAS AND THE DECISIONS TAKEN
- Gloucestershire 7 councils being reorganised into 1 unitary. This will unite the Gloucester-Cheltenham growth corridor and Golden Valley cyber cluster under one council, with reorganisation expected to deliver savings by reducing duplication across services and leadership.
- Derby and Derbyshire 10 councils being reorganised into 2 unitaries. This will let Derby expand in all directions while reflecting the county’s distinct north/south geographies and creating two strong partners in the East Midlands Combined County Authority.
- Warwickshire 6 councils being reorganised into 2 unitaries. This will allow each new council to focus on the specific needs of its communities, tackling health inequalities in the north and improving access to services for older and rural residents in the south.
- Worcestershire 7 councils being reorganised into 2 unitaries. This will reflect the county’s different economies and identities in the north and south, balancing scale with staying connected to communities.
- Oxfordshire 6 councils being reorganised into 3 unitaries. This will address Oxford’s housing constraints, better reflect the city’s economic geography, and ensure Oxford has its own seat at the table when regional powers and funding are agreed with government.
- Hertfordshire 11 councils being reorganised into 4 unitaries. This will reflect the county’s distinct economic areas, keeping public services organised around where people live, work and travel.
- Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland 10 councils being reorganised into 2 unitaries. This will expand Leicester’s boundary to reflect how the city actually functions, unlocking around 30,000 homes and 67 hectares of employment land, and creating a stronger platform for future devolution.
- Nottingham and Nottinghamshire 9 councils being reorganised into 2 unitaries. This will bring most of Nottingham’s urban area under one council, supporting the Mayoral authority’s growth ambitions and creating a more balanced urban-rural mix.
- East Sussex and Brighton and Hove 7 councils being reorganised into 2 unitaries with boundary modifications. This will expand Brighton and Hove’s planning footprint and tax base to tackle housing unaffordability and support growth across connected communities.
- Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 10 councils being reorganised into 2 unitaries. This will support Stoke’s growth opportunities across a natural north/south split, minimising service disruption and achieving strong financial sustainability.
- Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool 15 councils being reorganised into 4 unitaries. This will reflect Lancashire’s diverse urban, rural and coastal communities, aligned with existing economic areas and transport links, with a clear structure for future devolution.
- Kent and Medway 14 councils being reorganised into 4 unitaries. This will align councils with housing markets and local need, support Medway’s growth, and maintain locally responsive services while strengthening local voices through neighbourhood committees.
- Devon, Plymouth and Torbay 11 councils being reorganised into 4 unitaries. This will align boundaries with economic geography to unlock housing and infrastructure growth, supporting Plymouth’s defence sector and Exeter’s expansion as key urban engines.
- Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire 10 councils being reorganised into 4 unitaries. This will give Lincoln the space to grow while striking the best balance between urban and rural service delivery and securing Lincoln a distinct voice in devolution.