Government confirms next phase of local government reorganisation

The government has confirmed the next phase of its local government reorganisation programme, with proposals to replace two-tier council structures in a further 14 areas across England.

The plans include areas such as Kent and Medway, Hertfordshire, and Nottinghamshire and Nottingham. Ministers say the changes are intended to simplify local government by replacing county and district councils with new unitary authorities responsible for delivering all local services.

The latest announcement forms part of the government’s wider programme of local government reform, which aims to pave the way for further devolution by creating larger unitary councils with greater strategic responsibilities.

According to the government, the reorganisation would reduce administrative duplication by bringing services such as planning, finance and senior management under single authorities. Ministers argue this would simplify access to local services and enable savings to be reinvested in frontline priorities, including road maintenance and adult social care.

Overall, the programme would see 134 existing councils reorganised into 38 unitary authorities if all proposals proceed.

The government also says the reforms are intended to support economic development by giving local authorities greater capacity to plan housing, infrastructure and investment across wider areas. In some locations, including Exeter and Derby, proposals also involve changes to local governance arrangements designed to better reflect current patterns of development.

No final decisions have yet been made for West Sussex or Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Ministers said these proposals require further consideration before a decision is reached.

The reorganisation programme will continue over the coming months, with councils expected to work with government on detailed proposals before any structural changes are implemented.

List of areas:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Kent and Medway: 14 councils being reorganised into 4 unitaries. This will align councils with housing markets and local need, support the whole area’s growth, and maintain locally responsive services while strengthening local voices through neighbourhood committees.
13. 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.
14. 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.

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.’