The UK government said on October 29 that it is “minded to” approve new unitary councils in five English county areas, while withdrawing earlier decisions on nine other areas so they can be reconsidered under its local government reorganization program.

The announcement came in a written statement to Parliament by Jim McMahon, the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, and a press release from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). The statement said the government “remains committed to delivering local government reorganisation” and that the criteria it set in February 2025 still apply.

The five areas

The government said it is minded to proceed with the following proposals:

  • East Sussex and Brighton and Hove: two unitary councils, including the boundary change requested by Brighton and Hove City Council, except for the parish of Falmer. The proposal came from East Sussex County Council and the Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes and Rother councils, with Brighton and Hove.
  • Gloucestershire: one unitary council, proposed by the Cotswold, Gloucestershire County, Stroud and Tewkesbury councils.
  • Oxfordshire: three unitary councils, including a boundary change requested by Oxford City Council and the adjoining area of West Berkshire Council.
  • Warwickshire: two unitary councils, proposed by the North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick councils.
  • Worcestershire: two unitary councils, proposed by the Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester City and Wychavon councils.

Each proposal is subject to a period of at least three weeks for further representations before a final decision, and each needs approval by Parliament, according to the statement. The statement said the government’s July 2026 decisions for these five areas are withdrawn. Because the Secretary of State has recused herself from the East Sussex and Brighton and Hove decision, the minister will take it.

Decisions withdrawn elsewhere

The government withdrew its July decisions for nine areas: Derbyshire and Derby; Devon, Plymouth and Torbay; Hertfordshire; Kent and Medway; Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool; Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland; Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire; Nottinghamshire and Nottingham; and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent. All options for those areas remain under review, the statement said.

Decisions for four other areas were withdrawn in September: Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock; Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton; Norfolk; and Suffolk. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and West Sussex, are still awaiting decisions.

The government said withdrawing a decision does not cancel reorganization in an area. It promised an update on a further set of areas by Christmas and said every area will have an outcome by early 2027.

What ministers said

“This Government is committed to a fundamental rewiring of a system that for too long has seen power held in Westminster and Whitehall, rather than with people and the places where they live, work and invest,” the written statement said.

McMahon told Parliament: “No areas want to see a return to two-tiers.” He added: “The decisions that we take now will be the building blocks for how this country is governed for generations to come.” The ministry linked the program to plans to move power from Westminster to local communities, including measures announced in that week’s Budget.

The ministry said it has heard concerns about cities keeping their city status after reorganization. It said it will prioritize protecting city status and consider all options, including new legislation if needed.

Why it matters

The decisions determine how local services will be organized for residents of the areas involved and when voters will elect new councils. Local elections scheduled for May 2027 in these areas will go ahead for the existing councils. Elections to the new councils are planned for May 2028, with the new authorities taking over on April 1, 2029, according to the statement. Surrey, which is not affected by the pause, will see its two new councils, East Surrey and West Surrey, go live in April 2027.

The decisions also carry funding for councils preparing for the change. Areas with previously announced new unitary authorities will receive £450,000 per authority in the coming weeks, half of £900,000 in transition support per new council, from a £63 million capacity fund. The balance is due after final decisions, along with £150,000 per unitary authority for leadership capacity and continuity. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and West Sussex, will each receive £500,000.

What to watch

The period for further representations on the five proposals runs for at least three weeks before final decisions are taken, and each final decision then needs parliamentary approval. The government has promised an update on a further set of areas by Christmas. The statement and press release did not include responses from the councils involved or from opposition parties.

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