Upcoming structural changes to local government in England

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.

As of March 2026, the status of local government reorganisation is as follows:^[1]

Reorganisation area	Status	Consultation dates		S.I.	First election	Vesting day	Ref.
		Start	End
Surrey	Secondary legislation made	17 June 2025	5 August 2025	2026 No. 264	7 May 2026	1 April 2027	[2]
Greater Essex	Awaiting ministerial decision	19 November 2025	11 January 2026				[3]
Hampshire and Isle of Wight	Awaiting ministerial decision	19 November 2025	11 January 2026				[4]
Norfolk and Suffolk	Awaiting ministerial decision	19 November 2025	11 January 2026				[5]
Sussex and Brighton and Hove	Awaiting ministerial decision	19 November 2025	11 January 2026				[6]
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[7]
Derbyshire and Derby	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[8]
Devon, Plymouth and Torbay	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[9]
Gloucestershire	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[10]
Greater Lincolnshire	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[11]
Hertfordshire	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[12]
Kent and Medway	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[13]
Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[14]
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[15]
Nottinghamshire and Nottingham	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[16]
Oxfordshire	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[17]
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[18]
Warwickshire	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[19]
Worcestershire	Ongoing consultation	5 February 2026	26 March 2026				[20]

Changes to local government structures, such as the replacement of district and county councils with unitary authorities, became possible with secondary legislation following the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.^[21] Prior to that there had been a Local Government Commission for England to recommend structural changes which took place between 1995 and 1998.^[22] Under the 2007 legislation, rounds of reorganisation took place in 2009 and 2019–2023. Several large unitary authorities were created either by abolition of district councils (in Somerset, Dorset, Buckinghamshire and North Yorkshire) or by the abolition of county councils and grouping of districts to form new unitary authorities (in Cumbria and Northamptonshire).

The Labour Party returned to power following a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, and in her Autumn budget statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves outlined that a forthcoming English Devolution Bill would include plans for "working with councils to move to simpler structures that make sense for their local areas", suggesting that a new round of local government reorganisation could be likely.^[23][24]

The English Devolution White Paper indicated that where possible, existing two-tier areas—where services are provided by both county councils and district councils—should be reorganised into a smaller number of unitary authorities, where local services are provided by a single authority for at least 500,000 people.^{[25][26][27][28]}

In November 2024, it was reported that Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Norfolk and Suffolk would be included in the first wave of local authority reorganisation with the two-tier system of county councils and district councils being replaced by unitary authorities.^[29][30] However, this turned out to be incorrect and in February 2025 the government announced the six areas that would join the Devolution Priority Programme:^[31]

• Cumbria
• Cheshire & Warrington
• Norfolk & Suffolk
• Greater Essex
• Sussex & Brighton
• Hampshire & Solent

Two of these, Cumbria and Cheshire & Warrington, were reformed in earlier changes and will gain mayoral combined authorities. Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Sussex & Brighton, and Hampshire & Solent will also involve local authority restructuring.^[32]

In these areas, the councils involved were asked to submit final proposals for reorganisation at the end of September 2025. The government held statutory consultations from 19 November 2025 to 11 January 2026. Decisions on which proposals to implement are expected to be announced by March 2026. Secondary legislation would be required, following which elections to the new unitary authorities would take place on 6 May 2027. The new authorities would then go live on 1 April 2028.^[33]

Greater Essex was announced as part of the priority programme on 5 February 2025. The May 2025 local elections that would have taken place in Essex and Thurrock were cancelled.^[34][35] Some of the May 2026 local elections in Greater Essex were cancelled and then later reinstated.^[36][37]

Greater Essex, contiguous with the ceremonial county of Essex, is at present split into a non-metropolitan county of the same name, administered by Essex County Council, and two unitary authorities. Essex County Council shares governance with twelve non-metropolitan districts in a two-tier system of local government.

The full list of districts and unitary authority areas are:

1. Uttlesford
2. Braintree
3. Colchester
4. Tendring
5. Harlow
6. Epping Forest
7. Chelmsford
8. Maldon
9. Brentwood
10. Basildon
11. Rochford
12. Castle Point
13. Southend-on-Sea (unitary)
14. Thurrock (unitary)

In early December 2024, Basildon councillors proposed a five unitary authority model for the county: West Essex (Basildon and Thurrock), South East Essex (Southend-on-Sea, Castle Point and Rochford), Mid Essex (Chelmsford, Brentwood and Maldon), North West Essex (Epping Forest, Harlow and Uttlesford) and North East Essex (Braintree, Colchester and Tendring).^[38]

Later in December 2024, it was reported that the government would reorganise Essex into two or three local authorities with over 500,000 people each. The unitary authorities of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea will be abolished and merged with other areas of the county, with local elections likely postponed until 2026.^[39] Essex County Council leader Kevin Bentley confirmed that his council would ask the government to postpone local elections for the unitary and two-tier authorities of Essex to prepare for the county's reorganisation.^[40]

Southend-on-Sea City Council proposed a five-unitary option, made of the following groupings:^[41]

• Southend-on-Sea, Rochford and Castle Point
• Basildon and Thurrock
• Harlow, Epping Forest, Uttlesford
• Chelmsford, Brentwood, Maldon
• Colchester, Braintree, Tendring

Essex County Council proposed a three-unitary option, made of:

• Colchester, Tendring, Braintree, Uttlesford
• Chelmsford, Harlow, Epping Forest, Brentwood, Maldon
• Southend, Basildon, Thurrock, Castle Point, Rochford

Modelling by PwC suggests the county council–supported option will net a benefit of £86m.^[41]

Thurrock Council support a four-unitary option, consisting of:

• Harlow, Epping Forest, Brentwood, Thurrock
• Southend, Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford
• Chelmsford, Braintree, Uttlesford
• Colchester, Maldon, Tendring

Rochford District Council support a different four-unitary option, each council comprising:^[41]

• West Essex: Harlow, Epping Forest, Uttlesford
• South Essex: Southend, Basildon, Castle Point, Thurrock
• Central Essex: Chelmsford, Brentwood, Maldon, Rochford
• North Essex: Colchester, Braintree, Tendring

Government consultation on the four options commenced on 19 November 2025.^[42]

Hampshire and Solent were announced as part of the priority programme on 5 February 2025. The May 2025 local elections that would have taken place in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were cancelled.^[35] The elections in May 2026 were initially cancelled, but were later reinstated.^[43]

Hampshire and Solent is formed of the ceremonial counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The area is split between the non-metropolitan county of Hampshire, administered by Hampshire County Council and eleven district councils, and three unitary authorities, one of which covers the Isle of Wight. The remainder are:

1. Test Valley
2. Basingstoke and Deane
3. Hart
4. Rushmoor
5. City of Winchester
6. East Hampshire
7. New Forest
8. Southampton (unitary)
9. Eastleigh
10. Fareham
11. Gosport
12. Portsmouth (unitary)
13. Havant

The proposals for Hampshire and Solent are to establish a mayoral combined county authority. The constituent councils of the combined county authority would be Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council.^[44]

On the topic of local government reorganisation, the Hampshire County Council leader has said that it is unlikely that the unitarisation of the county would follow current district boundaries.^[45] The interim proposal submitted by district councils on 21 March 2025 stated that the Isle of Wight should remain its own council rather than being merged with mainland authorities. It also set out analysis for the mainland authorities to be based on the economic geographies of Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton, Portsmouth, without making a decision on the number of unitaries.^[46]

Initially all 15 authorities (including the 13 Hampshire Districts, Hampshire County Council, and the Isle of Wight) formed a group to bring forward a single proposal, assessing eight options of between 2 and 5 proposals. They ultimately concluded that four mainland councils, plus the Isle of Wight remaining separate despite falling below the 500,000 mark, would be ideal.^[47] However, subsequent to this, Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District, and Gosport Borough Council announced that they were leaving the joint process, with Hampshire and East Hampshire beginning their own process,^[48] and Gosport fully opposing the process.^[49]

The remaining councils ultimately agreed to work on the business cases for three potential proposals, based around the urban areas of Basingstoke, Winchester, Southampton, and Portsmouth, the Isle of Wight remaining separate. Two of these were simple merges of districts, whilst the third included proposed boundary changes. All three proposals included proposals for a North Hampshire authority comprising Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, and Rushmoor, a Mid Hampshire authority based around Winchester, East Hants, and Test Valley, a South East authority based around Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport, and Fareham, and a South West authority based around Southampton and Eastleigh. The three vary slightly depending on how the New Forest is paired with, either wholly or partly with the Mid or South West proposals. The third option's boundary changes included transferring the parishes of Totton & Eling, Marchwood, Hythe & Dibden and Fawley from the New Forest and Valley Park, Nursling & Rownhams and Chilworth from Test Valley into the South West district, and Newlands from Winchester and Horndean, Clanfield and Rowlands Castle into the South East District.^[50] A shared vision entitled Close enough to be local big enough to stay strong was published by the 12 councils, with each district due to vote on their preferred option in September 2025.^[51]

Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council meanwhile proposed three mainland authorities, of North and Mid Hampshire comprising Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor and Winchester with a population of around 656,000, South-West Hampshire comprising Eastleigh, New Forest, Southampton, and Test Valley with a population of around 707,000, and South-East Hampshire comprising Fareham, Gosport, Havant and Portsmouth with a population of around 533,000, with the Isle of Wight remaining independent.

In July 2025, a consultation opened on three options, all of which proposed five unitary councils across the two counties.^[52]

Proposals	Option 1		Option 2		Option 3		Proposals	HCC/EHDC Proposal[53]
	Composition	Population	Composition	Population	Composition	Population		Composition	Population
North Hampshire	Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor	407,465	Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor	407,465	Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor	407,465	Mid-North	Basingstoke and Deane, East Hampshire, Hart, Rushmoor, Winchester	655,528
Mid Hampshire	East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester	598,823	East Hampshire, Test Valley, Winchester	417,159	East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley, Winchester	484,546
South West Hampshire	Eastleigh, Southampton	423,221	Eastleigh, New Forest, Southampton	604,885	Eastleigh, New Forest*, Southampton, Test Valley*	510,102	West	Eastleigh, New Forest, Southampton, Test Valley	706,919
South East Hampshire	Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth	554,741	Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth	554,741	East Hampshire*, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, Winchester	582,137	South-East	Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth	532,519
Support	Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, New Forest District Council, Test Valley Borough Council		Winchester City Council		Eastleigh Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Hart Borough Council, Havant Borough Council, Portsmouth City Council, Rushmoor Borough Council, Southampton City Council		Support	East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council
East Hampshire*: Clanfield, Horndean and Rowlands Castle New Forest*: Totton & Eling, Marchwood, Hythe & Dibden and Fawley Test Valley*: Valley Park, Nursling & Rownhams and Chilworth Winchester*: Newlands

Norfolk and Suffolk were announced as part of the priority programme on 5 February 2025. The May 2025 local elections that would have taken place in Norfolk and Suffolk were cancelled.^[35] The elections in May 2026 were initially cancelled, but were later reinstated.^[43] In February 2026 the leader of Norfolk County Council said the authority intended to withdraw from the reorganisation process.^[54]

Norfolk is administered by Norfolk County Council and seven non-metropolitan districts.

1. Norwich
2. South Norfolk
3. Great Yarmouth
4. Broadland
5. North Norfolk
6. King's Lynn and West Norfolk
7. Breckland

In Norfolk, the county council is proposing a single unitary covering the whole of Norfolk.^[55] All district councils apart from South Norfolk Council are proposing 3 unitaries, a proposal known as "Future Norfolk", which include amended district boundaries with an enlarged Norwich district.^[56] South Norfolk Council is proposing 2 unitaries,^[57] "West and North Norfolk" covering Breckland, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk and North Norfolk and "Norwich and East Norfolk" covering Broadland, Great Yarmouth, Norwich and South Norfolk.^[58]

Suffolk is administered by Suffolk County Council and five non-metropolitan districts:

1. Ipswich
2. East Suffolk
3. Mid Suffolk
4. Babergh
5. West Suffolk

Suffolk County Council is proposing a single unitary authority covering the whole of the county,^[59] a proposal known as "One Suffolk".

The five district councils are proposing three unitary authorities,^[60] a "Central and Eastern" one covering most of East Suffolk and part of Mid Suffolk, a Western one covering West Suffolk and parts of Babergh and Mid Suffolk and an "Ipswich and Southern" one covering Ipswich and parts of Babergh, East and Mid Suffolk.^[61]

Sussex and Brighton were announced as part of the priority programme on 5 February 2025. The May 2025 local elections that would have taken place in East Sussex and West Sussex were cancelled.^[35] The elections in May 2026 were initially cancelled, but were later reinstated.^[43]

East Sussex is administered by East Sussex County Council, five non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:

1. Brighton and Hove
2. Lewes
3. Wealden
4. Eastbourne
5. Rother
6. Hastings

East Sussex County Council covers a population of 550,000 and has proposed a direct replacement of the county council and five district councils with a single unitary authority.^[62] Brighton and Hove City Council, which is already a unitary authority, proposed that the border between itself and the new East Sussex unitary should be altered to include areas such as Saltdean and Peacehaven within Brighton and Hove.^[63]

West Sussex is administered by West Sussex County Council and seven non-metropolitan districts:

1. Worthing
2. Arun
3. Chichester
4. Horsham
5. Crawley
6. Mid Sussex
7. Adur

West Sussex County Council covers a population of 900,000 and originally proposed either one large or two smaller unitary authorities, dependent on whether Crawley remains in West Sussex or is moved to Surrey,^[64] and whether Brighton & Hove would expand its territory.^[65]

In October 2025 the county council stated that its preference was for a single unitary authority covering the entire area.^[66] An alternative two-council proposal was also submitted by the county's district councils. Under this arrangement one council would cover Crawley, Horsham, and Mid Sussex; the other council would cover Adur, Arun, Chichester, and Worthing.^[67]

Surrey was not part of the priority programme announced on 5 February 2025. However, the need to reorganise local government was considered urgent enough that the May 2025 local elections that would have taken place in Surrey were cancelled.^[31][35]

Surrey is currently administered by Surrey County Council and eleven non-metropolitan districts:

1. Spelthorne
2. Runnymede
3. Surrey Heath
4. Woking
5. Elmbridge
6. Guildford
7. Waverley
8. Mole Valley
9. Epsom and Ewell
10. Reigate and Banstead
11. Tandridge

Surrey County Council proposed a split into East Surrey and West Surrey unitary authorities in May 2025,^[68] whereas 9 of the 11 districts and boroughs proposed a 3-way split with a North, West and East Surrey.^[69]

On 28 October 2025, the government confirmed its decision that Surrey would be reorganised into two unitaries, as proposed by the county council.^[70] The government intends that Surrey will move to a unitary structure faster than other areas, and the new councils are expected to become operational on 1 April 2027.^[33] The new councils will be:^[71]

• West Surrey, comprising the area currently covered by Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, and Woking district councils (2021 population 657,309).
• East Surrey, comprising the area currently covered by Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, and Tandridge district councils (2021 population 545,798);

Secondary legislation was made on 9 March 2026.^[2] The first elections to the new authorities will be in May 2026, with vesting day on 1 April 2027.^[72]

In July 2025, the government wrote to the councils in the 14 remaining 2-tier areas, asking for proposals to be submitted by the end of November 2025. Consultations were launched on 5 February 2026, to end on 26 March 2026. Decisions on which proposal to implement could be announced before the summer. Secondary legislation would be required, following which elections to the new unitary authorities would take place on 6 May 2027. The new authorities would then go live on 1 April 2028.

Berkshire is currently divided into six unitary authorities:

1. West Berkshire
2. Reading
3. Wokingham
4. Bracknell Forest
5. Windsor and Maidenhead
6. Borough of Slough

West Berkshire has proposed to merge with the districts of Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire from the neighbouring county of Oxfordshire to form a new authority, preliminarily called 'Ridgeway Council'. The remainder of Berkshire would be unaffected.^[73] Separately, the leader of Reading Borough Council and the MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire has written to the Government to argue that residents of Reading's urban area who live within West Berkshire's boundaries, in suburbs such as Tilehurst, would be better served by becoming part of Reading Council rather than a council with Oxfordshire districts.^[74] The Councillor for Chieveley and Cold Ash disagreed, saying West Berkshire residents would be 'dominated' by Reading and Wokingham if it became part of a council with them.^[75] The leader of Reading Borough Council did not propose or mention the inclusion of West Berkshire outside of Reading suburbs nor the Borough of Wokingham.^[74] Berkshire councils did not put forward proposals for reorganisation to government, other than West Berkshire which forms part of some of the options for Oxfordshire.

Cambridgeshire is administered by Cambridgeshire County Council, five non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:

1. City of Peterborough (unitary)
2. Fenland
3. Huntingdonshire
4. East Cambridgeshire
5. South Cambridgeshire
6. City of Cambridge

In November 2024, the former leader of Fenland District Council, and the leader of the Liberal Democrat group on East Cambridgeshire District Council urged that Cambridgeshire be included in the next round of local government reorganisation.^[76]

Following the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill in December 2024 and the subsequent invitation to councils to consider boundaries for the new Unitaries, councils began their deliberations as to their preferred models. The deadline for their proposals is 28 November.

1. On 21 October, Cambridgeshire County Council's decided on Option A which would see the area divided between two authorities: a northern one covering Huntingdonshire, Peterborough City and Fenland, and a southern one covering Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire and East Cambridgeshire.^[77]
2. On 7 November, Fenland agreed to support Option D, creating three authorities: A Greater Peterborough of Peterborough City and the Western parts of Huntingdonshire, a Mid Cambs council including East Cambs District, Fenland and the Eastern parts of Huntingdonshire, and a Greater Cambs of Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire district.^[78]
3. On 12 November, the City of Peterborough Council also backed Option D, confirmed by its Cabinet meeting on 18 November.^[79]
4. On 19 November, Huntingdonshire District Council agreed that Option E was its favoured choice. A three council model with Huntingdonshire a unitary in its own right, a southern council of Cambridge city and South Cambs District, and a northern Council of Peterborough, Fenland and East Cambs District. This is subject to a Council Cabinet meeting on 24 November.^[80]
5. On 20 November City of Cambridge backed Option B, a southern council of Cambridge City and South Cambs District, and a northern council of Fenland, East Cambs, Huntindonshire and Peterborough.^[81]
6. Also on 20 November East Cambridgeshire chose Option B.^[82]
7. On 24 November South Cambridgeshire adopted Option B by 21 votes to 6.^[83]

While MPs are not part of the current consultation process, the MP for Huntingdon Ben Obese-Jecty raised the matter in Parliament and expressed his support for Option E. ^[84]

Derbyshire is administered by Derbyshire County Council, eight non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:

1. High Peak
2. Derbyshire Dales
3. South Derbyshire
4. Erewash
5. Amber Valley
6. North East Derbyshire
7. Chesterfield
8. Bolsover
9. Derby (unitary)

In August 2025, the county's councils agreed on three options for further consideration. All three proposals would see the area covered by two authorities, with one council covering the southern part of the county (including the city of Derby), and the other covering the northern part of the county:^[85]

• Option A: a southern council covering Erewash, Derby and South Derbyshire; a second authority to cover the rest of the county
• Option B: a southern council covering Amber Valley, Erewash, Derby and South Derbyshire; a second authority to cover the rest of the county
• Option C: a southern council cover Erewash, Derby, South Derbyshire, and the southern part of Amber Valley; a second authority to cover the rest of the county, including the remainder of Amber Valley.

In 2026 a statutory consultation opened on the following options:^[86][87]

• One unitary council covering the area of all districts, including Derby (proposed by Derbyshire County Council)
• Two unitary councils splitting Derbyshire into northern and southern areas (proposed by all district councils under the name One Derbyshire Two Councils). Four sub-proposals differing in whether Amber Valley would belong to the nothern or southern area or be split were submitted.
  • Proposal A: a northern council covering Amber Valley, High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, and Bolsover; a southern council covering Derby City, South Derbyshire, and Erewash.
  • Proposal B: a northern council covering High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire, and Bolsover; a southern council covering Amber Valley, Derby City, South Derbyshire, and Erewash.
  • Proposal A1: districts split as in proposals A and B, but with the following Amber Valley parishes in the northern council: Aldercar and Langley Mill, Alderwasley, Alfreton, Ashleyhay, Belper, Codnor, Crich, Denby, Dethick, Lea and Holloway, Hazelwood, Heanor and Loscoe, Idridgehay and Alton, Ironville, Kilburn, Pentrich, Ripley, Shipley, Shottle and Postern, Somercotes, South Wingfield, and Swanwick; and the following parishes in the southern council: Duffield, Holbrook, Horsley, Horsley Woodhouse, Kedleston, Kirk Langley, Mackworth, Mapperley, Quarndon, Ravensdale Park, Smalley, Turnditch, Weston Underwood, and Windley.
  • Proposal B1: as proposal A1, but with the Amber Valley parishes of Belper, Denby, Kilburn and Shipley in the southern council, and Ravensdale Park, Turnditch and Weston Underwood in the northern council.

Devon is administered by Devon County Council, eight non-metropolitan districts and two unitary authorities:

1. North Devon
2. Torridge
3. Mid Devon
4. East Devon
5. Exeter
6. West Devon
7. Teignbridge
8. Plymouth (unitary)
9. South Hams
10. Torbay (unitary)

In September 2025 Devon County Council proposed that the entire area covered by the county council become a single unitary authority, with Plymouth and Torbay remaining as unitary authorities on their existing borders. This plan was critisiced by Exeter City Council, who have proposed that Exeter be expanded to become a unitary authority of its own. Plymouth City Council have also proposed expanding into areas currently covered by the county council, whilst Torbay has yet to decide on a final proposal.^[88] Devon's other district councils have proposed an alternative structure, known as the "1-4-5 plan", which envisages that Plymouth would continue as a unitary authority on its existing boundary, whilst the remainder of the county (including Torbay) would be divided two authorities: one covering South Hams, Teignbridge, West Devon, and Torbay; and one covering Mid Devon, East Devon, North Devon, Torridge, and Exeter.^[89]

Gloucestershire is administered by Gloucestershire County Council, six non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:

1. Tewkesbury
2. Forest of Dean
3. Gloucester
4. Cheltenham
5. Stroud
6. Cotswold
7. South Gloucestershire (unitary)

South Gloucestershire forms part of the West of England Combined Authority, and is not expected to undergo any changes. For the remainder of the county as of August 2025 three options were under consideration:^[90]

• One council covering the whole non-metropolitan county.
• Two councils:
  • An eastern council covering Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, and Cotswold
  • A western council covering Gloucester, Forest of Dean, and Stroud.
• Two councils:
  • "Greater Gloucester", covering Gloucester and some parishes from neighbouring districts.
  • A second council covering the remainder of the non-metropolitan county.

Hertfordshire did not bid to become part of the priority programme.^[91]

Hertfordshire is administered by Hertfordshire County Council and ten non-metropolitan districts:

1. North Hertfordshire
2. Stevenage
3. East Hertfordshire
4. Dacorum
5. City of St Albans
6. Welwyn Hatfield
7. Broxbourne
8. Three Rivers
9. Watford
10. Hertsmere

In May 2025, the Leaders of all eleven Hertfordshire councils jointly agreed that a single unitary authority covering the entire county – an area with a population of 1.2 million – would be too remote to maintain democratic accountability. The councils jointly proposed three options:^[92]

• Option A: Two authorities:
  • West Hertfordshire, covering Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, and Watford.
  • East Hertfordshire, covering Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield.
• Option B: Three authorities:
  • West Hertfordshire, covering Dacorum, Three Rivers, and Watford, with the addition of parts of Hertsmere.
  • Central Hertfordshire, covering the remaining part of Hertsmere, along with St Albans, and Welwyn Hatfield.
  • East Hertfordshire, covering Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, and Stevenage.
• Option C: Four authorities:
  • West Hertfordshire, covering Dacorum and St Albans.
  • Southwest Hertfordshire, covering Hertsmere, Three Rivers, and Watford.
  • East Hertfordshire, covering Broxbourne, and East Herts, with the addition of parts of North Herts and Welwyn Hatfield
  • Central Hertfordshire, covering the remaining parts North Herts and Welwyn Hatfield, along with Stevenage.

Consultation opened on three broadly similar options to the above in February 2026.^[93]

Kent is administered by Kent County Council, twelve non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:

1. Sevenoaks
2. Dartford
3. Gravesham
4. Tonbridge and Malling
5. Medway (unitary)
6. Maidstone
7. Tunbridge Wells
8. Swale
9. Ashford
10. City of Canterbury
11. Folkestone and Hythe
12. Thanet
13. Dover

Kent County Council and Medway Council applied for a devolution deal in January 2025 which would include a Mayor of Kent above several unitary authorities.^[94] In February 2025 it was announced that Kent would not be part of the priority programme.^[95]

In July 2025, KCC suggested a split into three unitary authorities:^[96]

• West Kent covering Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling and Tunbridge Wells
• North Kent covering Dartford, Gravesham, Medway and Swale
• East Kent covering Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe and Thanet

Medway Council suggested a four-authority plan including realignment of the existing Maidstone/Medway boundary.^[97]

Consultation opened in February 2026 with five options.^[98]

Lancashire is administered by Lancashire County Council, eleven non-metropolitan districts and two unitary authorities:

1. Lancaster
2. Wyre
3. Blackpool (unitary)
4. Fylde
5. Preston
6. Ribble Valley
7. South Ribble
8. Hyndburn
9. Burnley
10. Pendle
11. West Lancashire
12. Chorley
13. Blackburn with Darwen (unitary)
14. Rossendale

In November 2024, a group of Lancashire MPs called for the replacement of the current two-tier system with a smaller number of unitary authorities. Three and four authority models were proposed.^[99][100] In December 2024, the leaders of South Ribble Council and Chorley Council proposed forming a unitary authority together with West Lancashire Council.^[101] As of October 2025, five options were under consideration by the county's councils:^[102]

• Two councils, with a northern council covering Blackpool, Fylde, Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley, and Wyre; and a southern council covering Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, South Ribble, and West Lancashire.
• Three councils, with a northern council covering Blackpool, Fylde, Lancaster, and Wyre Unitary; a western council covering Chorley, Preston, South Ribble, and West Lancashire Unitary; and an eastern council covering Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley, and Rossendale.
• Four councils, with a north-western council covering Blackpool, Fylde, and Wyre; a south-western council covering Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire; a south-eastern council covering Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, and Rossendale; and a north-eastern council covering Lancaster, Preston, and Ribble Valley.
• Four councils, with a north-western council covering Blackpool Fylde Preston, and the western coast of Wyre; a south-western council covering Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire; a south-eastern council covering Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, and the southeast area of Ribble Valley; and a north-eastern council covering Lancaster, and the remaining areas of Wyre and Ribble Valley.
• Five councils, with a mid-western council covering Blackpool, Fylde, and Preston; a south-western council covering Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire Unitary; a central council covering Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, and Ribble Valley; a northern council covering Lancaster and Wyre; and an eastern council covering Burnley, Pendle, and Rossendale.

Leicestershire is administered by Leicestershire County Council, seven non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:

1. North West Leicestershire
2. Charnwood
3. Melton
4. Harborough
5. Oadby and Wigston
6. Blaby
7. Hinckley and Bosworth
8. Leicester (unitary)

Three rival plans emerged for Leicestershire in 2025. Leicestershire County Council (LCC) is proposing a "doughnut" model with a large unitary authority covering the entire area currently served by the county council. Leicestershire districts are proposing two smaller unitary authorities; "North Leicestershire and Rutland Council" serving the area presently covered by Charnwood borough, North West Leicestershire district council, Melton borough council, and Rutland county council; and a "South Leicestershire Council" serving the areas currently covered by Blaby district council, Harborough district council, Hinckley and Bosworth borough council and Oadby and Wigston borough council. Neither of these two plans seeks to change the status or boundaries of the existing Leicester City Council unitary authority.^[103] A third proposal by Leicester City Council seeks to substantially expand the existing Leicester unitary authority boundary to include more of the built up areas surrounding Leicester including Oadby, Wigston, Thurmaston, Syston, Birstall, Glen Parva and Glenfield.

Consultation opened in February 2026 for three options: a) expanded Leicester plus a rump unitary authority; b) current Leicester plus a unitary of the rest of the county; c) three unitary councils.^[104]

Lincolnshire is administered by Lincolnshire County Council, seven non-metropolitan districts and two unitary authorities:

1. Lincoln
2. North Kesteven
3. South Kesteven
4. South Holland
5. Boston
6. East Lindsey
7. West Lindsey
8. North Lincolnshire (unitary)
9. North East Lincolnshire (unitary)

In March 2025, three separate proposals for the future governance of Lincolnshire were published:

1. A single council for the area that currently makes up Lincolnshire County Council and a merger of the current two unitary authorities of North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire in the north of the county to make a single council however the proposed northern council would not be within the governments preferred minimum population quota of 500,000.
2. Lincolnshire split into two separate unitary authorities on a north–south basis with North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, East and West Lindsey making up the northern council area whilst Lincoln, North and South Kesteven, Boston and South Holland making up the southern council area with both proposed areas falling within the governments preferred minimum population quota of 500,000.
3. Lincolnshire split up into three council areas, one covering Lincoln, West Lindsey, North Kesteven and South Kesteven, the second covering East Lindsey, Boston and South Holland and the third covering North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire although it is stated that this option is unlikely to proceed because none of the proposed areas would be within the minimum population quota.^[105]

A consultation opened in February 2026 with four options - one with 2 councils, one with 3 councils and two different options with 4 councils.^[106]

Nottinghamshire is administered by Nottinghamshire County Council, seven non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:

1. Nottingham (unitary)
2. Bassetlaw
3. Mansfield
4. Newark and Sherwood
5. Ashfield
6. Gedling
7. Broxtowe
8. Rushcliffe

In March 2025, the county's councils agreed to submit three options for further consideration. All three proposals would see the area covered by two authorities, with one council covering the Nottingham built-up area, and the other covering the remainder of the county:^[107]

• Option 1b: One council would cover Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Gedling; a second authority would cover the rest of the county.
• Option 1e: One council would cover Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Rushcliffe; a second authority would cover the rest of the county.
• Boundary Review option: One council would cover Nottingham, along with parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe; a second authority would cover the rest of the county.

As of October 2025, the councils covering the county had been unable to agree on which option to formally submit to the UK government.^[108]

Bassetlaw District Council, Gedling Borough Council, Mansfield District Council, and Newark and Sherwood District Council each indicated their support for Option 1e, under which Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Rushcliffe would form one authority, with the remainder of the county forming a second. These councils argued that Option 1e provided a more balanced division between urban and rural areas, as well as demonstrating "sensible geography" for the county, creating a clear north–south division that better reflected existing community and economic patterns. They also cited findings from local consultations, which suggested that Option 1e was the public's preferred option.^[109]

Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council both expressed a preference for Option 1b, which would group Nottingham with Broxtowe and Gedling. Supporters of this approach cited closer administrative and functional ties between those districts and the city, suggesting it would create a clearer distinction between the Nottingham urban area and the wider county.^[110]

Nottingham City Council formally endorsed the Boundary Review Option, advocating a revised definition of the Nottingham built-up area that would cross existing district boundaries. The council argued that the current boundaries, drawn decades earlier, were “no longer fit for purpose” and did not reflect modern patterns of growth and connectivity. In supporting the boundary-based proposal, the council stated that "we can’t let outdated boundaries or political convenience dictate our future", contending that a new configuration should reflect the city’s actual economic and social footprint.^[111]

Broxtowe Borough Council has yet to endorse any of the three proposals. The authority stated that it would oppose any reorganisation which resulted in the division of the borough between two unitary authorities, arguing that such a split would undermine local identity and the efficient delivery of services.^[112]

Oxfordshire is administered by Oxfordshire County Council and five non-metropolitan districts:

1. Oxford
2. Cherwell
3. South Oxfordshire
4. Vale of White Horse
5. West Oxfordshire

There are three proposals for Oxfordshire:

• Oxfordshire County Council's preferred option is for a single authority covering the entire county.^[113]
• Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire have proposed to merge with the unitary authority of West Berkshire to form a new authority, provisionally called 'Ridgeway Council'. Under these proposals, Oxford, West Oxfordshire and Cherwell would merge into an "Oxford and Shires" unitary area.^[73]
• Oxford City Council have proposed a three-council structure, in which Oxford would expand to cover the "Greater Oxford" area, to be formed alongside a slightly smaller version of the proposed Ridgeway council, and a Northern Oxfordshire council covering those parts of West Oxfordshire and Cherwell not incorporated into Greater Oxford.^[114]

In February 2026 consultation opened on these three options.^[115]

Staffordshire is administered by Staffordshire County Council, eight non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:

1. Stoke-on-Trent (unitary)
2. Newcastle-under-Lyme
3. Staffordshire Moorlands
4. Stafford
5. East Staffordshire
6. South Staffordshire
7. Cannock Chase
8. Lichfield
9. Tamworth

In February 2025, Stoke-on-Trent City Council proposed merging with neighbouring Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands to form a North Staffordshire unitary authority.^[116] In March 2025, the district councils of Stafford, East Staffordshire, South Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield and Tamworth jointly proposed a complementary unitary authority for Southern and Mid Staffordshire, covering the six districts.^[117] In October 2025 Staffordshire Moorlands proposed a modified version of this north/south split, in which the areas surrounding Uttoxeter (currently in East Staffordshire) and Stone (currently in the Stafford district) would also be added to the northern authority.^[118]

Later that October, the district councils of Lichfield, South Staffordshire and Tamworth proposed an alternative three-unitary model with two unitaries in the south of the county. This would place Stafford, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire in a South-West Staffordshire authority, and Lichfield, Tamworth and East Staffordshire in a South-East Staffordshire authority.^[119] Stafford, East Staffordshire and Cannock Chase districts continue to favour the two-unitary model.

Any north/south split is opposed by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, who instead prefer the current two-tier system, a Newcastle-under-Lyme unitary authority or any other unitary authority excluding Stoke-on-Trent.^[120]

Separately in February 2025, Staffordshire County Council put forward a rival proposal for a unitary authority to cover the area of the current county council, replacing all councils in Staffordshire except Stoke-on-Trent, which would remain separate.^[121] However, since this proposal, the county council has changed hands, with Reform UK now controlling the council. The Reform-led council have since proposed an east/west split, with Leek, Stoke-on-Trent, Lichfield and Tamworth forming an East Staffordshire authority, and West Staffordshire being comprising Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stafford, Cannock Chase and South Staffordshire.^[122]

Despite the differing proposals for reorganisation, all councils in the county have jointly proposed a mayoral strategic authority for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.^[123]

Warwickshire is administered by Warwickshire County Council and five non-metropolitan districts:

1. North Warwickshire
2. Nuneaton and Bedworth
3. Rugby
4. Stratford-on-Avon
5. Warwick

In October 2025, Warwickshire County Council voted to support a proposal for the entire county to become a single unitary authority, and for the county to apply to join the West Midlands Combined Authority. An alternative proposal by the county's Liberal Democrats would see Warwickshire divided into two unitary authorities, a southern one covering Warwick and Stratford, and a northern one covering Rugby, North Warwickshire and Nuneaton and Bedworth.^[124]

Consultation opened on these two options in February 2026.^[125]

Worcestershire is administered by Worcestershire County Council and six non-metropolitan districts:

1. Worcester
2. Malvern Hills
3. Wyre Forest
4. Bromsgrove
5. Redditch
6. Wychavon

There are two options currently proposed for Worcestershire:^[126]

• One option would see all seven councils replaced with a single unitary authority - supported by Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest District Council.^[122]
• The alternative would see the county split between two authorities - supported by the remaining districts:
  • North Worcestershire, covering Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest.
  • South Worcestershire, covering Malvern Hills, Worcester and Wychavon.

Consultation opened in February 2026 on the above two proposals.^[127]

• History of local government in England
• Local government in England
• Earlier local government reforms:
  • 1974 structural changes to local government in England
  • 1995–1998 structural changes to local government in England
  • 2009 structural changes to local government in England
  • 2019–2023 structural changes to local government in England