Public consultations launched for devolution priority areas
Devolution priority areas have launched public consultations on reorganisation, as the government prepares to evaluate final proposals. Earlier this week, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern, announced the launch of public consultations on all proposals submitted in September by the devolution priority areas. These proposals are as follows: 📍East Sussex […]
LGR deadlines approach as councils rush to finalise proposals
The landscape of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is shifting rapidly this week, marked by key decisions and simmering dissent. Kent and Medway has shortlisted five potential proposals, while Hertfordshire has solidified its plans around three configurations. Meanwhile, LGR efforts are facing challenges: a protest walk-out has occurred in Derbyshire, and councils led by Reform UK are rejecting […]
Local government reorganisation plans in Surrey confirmed
Surrey’s local government reorganisation plans confirmed, as government announces new East and West councils. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has announced two new unitaries in Surrey as part of its Local Government Reorganisation plans. According to the MHCLG, eleven district and borough councils and one county council will give way to two unitary […]
County councils warn of LGR risk to social care as districts reject concerns
Proposals to split county councils into smaller unitary authorities risk leading to worse social care services, higher costs, and staff shortages, according to a report released by the County Councils Network (CCN). The CCN’s new report, ‘Local Government Reorganisation: Analysing the impact on people services’, suggests forthcoming government decisions on the size of new unitary councils […]
Major overhaul of local government reinforced in new devolution bill
A sweeping new bill aimed at setting the framework for local governance reorganisation in England has been unveiled by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), promising a major shift in how power is distributed from Westminster to local authorities. The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, introduced following the December 2024 white […]
From Two-Tier to Unitary: What the latest government guidance means for councils
The government has published its response to initial plans by councils in two-tier structures to reorganise themselves into single tier unitary authorities. The feedback is generic rather than on individual area proposals, and is intended to help steer councils towards finalising their reorganisation plans. It includes stating that the 500K population limit was a guide not […]
English Devolution: Where are we now?
In January, we reported on the English Devolution White Paper, and the proposed overhaul in government in the country. Since then, there have been significant developments in the journey towards devolution. Recent Updates In February, the minister of state for local government and English devolution, Jim McMahon, announced the six devolution areas that are […]
Understanding the English Devolution White Paper
Presented by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner, the English Devolution White Paper proposes a significant overhaul of the local government system in England. In this blog, we will explore how these proposals will change the current system, the implications of the white paper, as well as the mixed […]