Surrey is currently undergoing a transition to unitary local government. The first elections to the new East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council took place on 7 May 2026, with the new councils operating as "shadow authorities" until they take over local government responsibilities on 1 April 2027.
The government announced how most of the remaining two-tier areas would be reorganised in March and July 2026; no decision was made for Cambridgeshire or West Sussex. The intention was that the first elections to the new councils of these areas would take place on 6 May 2027, and that they would formally take over local government responsibilities on 1 April 2028. However, in September 2026 the government paused the reorganisation in all areas except Surrey.
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. Prior to that there had been a Local Government Commission for England to recommend structural changes which took place between 1995 and 1998. Under the 2007 legislation, rounds of reorganisation took place in 2009 and 2019–2023. Several large unitary authorities were created in 13 ceremonial county areas, either by replacing a two-tier county council and its two-tier non-metropolitan district councils with a single unitary council (in Cornwall, County Durham, Northumberland, Shropshire, Wiltshire, Buckinghamshire, North Yorkshire, Somerset) or by dividing the county area into two or more new unitary councils (in Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Dorset, Northamptonshire, Cumbria).
Summary
Status
As of September 2026[update], the status of local government reorganisation across the government's 19 invitation areas is as follows:
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.
The English Devolution White Paper indicated that, where possible, the remaining two-tier local government areas in England—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 council. New unitary councils would be expected to have "a population of 500,000 or more, but there may be exceptions to ensure new structures make sense for an area, including for devolution, and decisions will be on a case-by-case basis". The local government reorganisation programme would cover the 21 remaining ceremonial counties in England with two-tier local government. It would also include neighbouring unitary local government areas "where there is evidence of failure" or where the existing unitary council's "size or boundaries may be hindering their ability to deliver sustainable and high-quality public services".
In February 2026, the House of Commons Library published a local government reorganisation 2026 research briefing.
In September 2026, the process was paused and put under "rapid review" without a published timetable.
Devolution Priority Programme
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. However, this turned out to be incorrect and in February 2025 the government announced that the following six areas would join the Devolution Priority Programme:
All existing two-tier and unitary authorities in the Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton areas were asked to submit final proposals for local government reorganisation to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government by the end of September 2025. The government held statutory consultations on these proposals from 19 November 2025 to 11 January 2026. Decisions on which proposals to implement were expected to be announced by March 2026. Secondary legislation would be required to implement these changes, followed by elections to the new shadow unitary authorities which would be expected to take place on 6 May 2027. The new unitary authorities would then be established on 1 April 2028.
On 31 March 2026, the House of Commons Library published maps of the newly proposed unitary authorities in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk, along with a full list of the parishes that would be split from existing non-metropolitan districts under these proposals.
Greater Essex
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. Some of the May 2026 local elections in Greater Essex were cancelled and then later reinstated.
Proposals
In early December 2024, Basildon councillors proposed a five unitary authority model for the county.
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, with the unitary authorities of Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea to be abolished and merged with other areas of the county and local elections likely to be postponed until 2026. 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.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 26 September 2025:
Essex, Southend-on-Sea, and Thurrock local government reorganisation proposals
Essex County Council set out the basis for a legal challenge to the decision in May 2026 and indicated it would continue with judicial review in June 2026.
The March 2026 ministerial decision was withdrawn on 7 September 2026.
Hampshire and the Solent
Hampshire and the Solent was 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.
Proposals
In February 2025, the Hampshire County Council leader said that it is unlikely that the unitarisation of the county would follow current district boundaries. 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, and Portsmouth, without making a decision on the number of unitaries.
Initially all 15 authorities (13 Hampshire districts, Hampshire County Council, Isle of Wight Council) formed a group to bring forward a single proposal, assessing eight options for between 2 and 5 unitary authorities across the two ceremonial counties. They ultimately agreed to base their proposals on four mainland councils for Hampshire, with the Isle of Wight remaining unchanged despite falling below the 500,000 mark. However, subsequent to this, Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire District Council, and Gosport Borough Council announced that they were leaving the joint process. Hampshire and East Hampshire began their own process. Gosport fully opposed the local government reorganisation process.
The remaining 12 councils ultimately agreed to work on a business case with three proposals. Each proposal included four Hampshire authorities and the Isle of Wight remaining separate, but they had differing plans for the New Forest. Option 1 and Option 2 were simple mergers of districts, whilst Option 1A included proposed boundary changes. Option 1A proposed including four parishes from the New Forest and three parishes from Test Valley in an authority based around the Southampton area and including three parishes from East Hampshire and one parish from Winchester in an authority based around the Portsmouth area. 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. In July 2025, a local consultation opened on these three options.
Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council meanwhile proposed three mainland authorities, with the Isle of Wight remaining unchanged.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 26 September 2025:
Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton local government reorganisation proposals
Proposals submitted by Hampshire councils. All include the Isle of Wight remaining separate.
Option 1A split districts: * 4 parishes from New Forest to South West Hampshire: Totton and Eling, Marchwood, Hythe and Dibden, Fawley * 3 parishes from Test Valley to South West Hampshire: Valley Park, Nursling and Rownhams, Chilworth * 3 parishes from East Hampshire to South East Hampshire: Clanfield, Horndean, Rowlands Castle * 1 parish from Winchester to South East Hampshire: Newlands
South West Hampshire, comprising the areas currently covered by Eastleigh, Southampton, 4 parishes from New Forest, and 3 parishes from Test Valley (2024 population 487,060).
This decision confirms that the Isle of Wight unitary authority will remain unchanged.
In June 2026, Hampshire county council confirmed it would challenge the decision through a judicial review.
The March 2026 ministerial decision was withdrawn on 7 September 2026.
Norfolk and Suffolk
Norfolk and Suffolk was 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. The elections in May 2026 were initially cancelled, but were later reinstated.
Greater Norwich, comprising the areas currently covered by Norwich, 19 parishes from Broadland, and 16 parishes from South Norfolk (2024 population 289,666).
Norfolk County Council began a judicial review of the decision in June 2026.
The March 2026 ministerial decision was withdrawn on 7 September 2026.
Western Suffolk, comprising the areas currently covered by West Suffolk, Babergh (less 31 parishes), and 21 parishes from Mid Suffolk (2024 population 268,568).
Ipswich and South Suffolk, comprising the areas currently covered by Ipswich, 31 parishes from Babergh, 25 parishes from East Suffolk, and 8 parishes from Mid Suffolk (2024 population 257,131).
Suffolk County Council began a judicial review of the decision in June 2026.
The March 2026 ministerial decision was withdrawn on 7 September 2026.
Sussex and Brighton
Sussex and Brighton was 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. The elections in May 2026 were initially cancelled, but were later reinstated.
Proposals (East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex)
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. Brighton and Hove City Council, which is already a unitary authority with a population of 283,870, proposed that the border between itself and the new East Sussex unitary should be altered to include East Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs, and Peacehaven within Brighton and Hove (the area coterminous with the Lewes parishes of Telscombe and Peacehaven). They consulted locally on whether to propose expanding further into either or both of the Lewes parish of Newhaven and the Lewes ward of Kingston (which comprises the parishes of Piddinghoe, Southease, Rodmell, Iford, Kingston near Lewes, St Ann (Without), and Falmer).
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, and whether Brighton and Hove would expand its territory.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 26 September 2025:
East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex local government reorganisation proposals
Government consultation on these four proposals ran from 19 November 2025 to 11 January 2026.
On 25 March 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced that he had not yet taken a decision on the proposals for East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex and would undertake a further technical consultation after the 2026 United Kingdom local elections to seek comments on a newly suggested proposal for the following 4 council structure across the whole Sussex area:
East Sussex, Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex proposal for further technical consultation
Proposals
Proposed authorities
Composition of authority
Pan-Sussex proposal
4 unitary authorities
"Unitary A"
Eastbourne
Hastings
Rother
Wealden
Lewes (less 4 wards and 1 part-ward)
"Unitary B"
Adur
Arun
Worthing
"Unitary C"
Brighton and Hove
4 wards and 1 part-ward from Lewes (coterminous with 3 parishes)
"Unitary D"
Chichester
Crawley
Horsham
Mid Sussex
March 2026 proposal.
This government further technical consultation ran from 12 May 2026 to 15 June 2026.
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State announced that he had not yet taken a decision on the proposals for West Sussex. He did, however, rule-out the pan-Sussex five unitary option proposed by Brighton and Hove City Council.
Initial decision under review (East Sussex and Brighton and Hove)
New district boundaries in East Sussex announced in July 2026 (map data)
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced his decision that the ceremonial county of East Sussex would be reorganised into two unitary authorities per the Secretary of State’s proposal for further technical consultation, with the exception of one part-ward from Lewes. Falmer parish (a part of Kingston ward) would instead be in the new East Sussex authority.
Brighton and Hove, comprising the areas currently covered by Brighton and Hove and 4 wards from Lewes (coterminous with 2 parishes) (2024 population 307,521).
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Surrey
Surrey was not part of the Devolution 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. The government intended that Surrey would move to a unitary structure faster than other areas, with the new councils to become operational in 2027.
1974–2027 district boundaries in Surrey
The Surrey invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Surrey. It is currently administered by Surrey County Council and eleven non-metropolitan districts:
Outcome
Secondary legislation was made on 9 March 2026. The first elections to the new authorities were in May 2026, with vesting day on 1 April 2027.
Remaining two-tier areas
In February 2025, the government wrote to the councils in the 14 remaining 2-tier areas and neighbouring small unitary councils, asking for proposals to be submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government by the end of November 2025. The government held statutory consultations on these proposals from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026. Decisions on which proposals to implement are expected to be announced before the summer of 2026. Secondary legislation would be required to implement these changes, followed by elections to the new shadow unitary authorities which would be expected to take place on 6 May 2027. The new authorities would then be established on 1 April 2028.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
1974–present district boundaries in Cambridgeshire
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Cambridgeshire. It is administered by Cambridgeshire County Council, five non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:
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.
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.
On 7 November, Fenland agreed to support Option D.
On 12 November, the City of Peterborough Council also backed Option D, confirmed by its Cabinet meeting on 18 November.
On 19 November, Huntingdonshire District Council agreed that Option E was its favoured choice. This is subject to a Council Cabinet meeting on 24 November.
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.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough local government reorganisation proposals
The Derbyshire and Derby invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. It is administered by Derbyshire County Council, eight non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:
In August 2025, Derbyshire's district, borough, and city councils agreed on three options for further consideration, referred to as Option A, Option B, and Option C. 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.
Eight of Derbyshire’s councils ultimately agreed to jointly propose two unitary councils, a "Northern Derbyshire" authority and a "Southern Derbyshire" authority. This proposal included four different sub-proposals because the councils disagreed on plans for Amber Valley. Derbyshire County Council meanwhile proposed a single unitary authority covering the whole county area, including Derby.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Derbyshire and Derby local government reorganisation proposals
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay
1974–present district boundaries in Devon
The Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Devon. It is administered by Devon County Council, eight non-metropolitan districts and two unitary authorities:
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 proposed that Exeter be expanded to become a unitary authority of its own. Plymouth City Council also proposed expanding into areas currently covered by the county council, whilst Torbay had yet to decide on a final proposal. Devon's other district councils 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.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay local government reorganisation proposals
Exeter, comprising the areas currently covered by Exeter, 28 parishes from East Devon, 6 parishes from Mid Devon, and 15 parishes from Teignbridge (2024 population 264,574).
Greater Plymouth, comprising the areas currently covered by Plymouth and 13 parishes from South Hams (2024 population 307,315).
Torbay and South Devon, comprising the areas currently covered by Torbay, 5 parishes from South Hams, and 16 parishes from Teignbridge (2024 population 222,822).
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Gloucestershire
1996–present district boundaries in Gloucestershire
The Gloucestershire invitation area is coterminous with the Gloucestershire county council area. It forms the majority of the ceremonial county of Gloucestershire. Gloucestershire ceremonial county is administered by Gloucestershire County Council, six non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:
South Gloucestershire forms part of the West of England Combined Authority. It is outside of the government's Gloucestershire invitation area and is not expected to undergo any changes. For the remainder of the county (the county council area) as of August 2025 three options were under consideration:
One council covering the whole county council area.
Two councils with an eastern authority and a western authority.
Two councils with a "Greater Gloucester" authority and another authority covering the remainder of the county council area.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Gloucestershire county council area local government reorganisation proposals
This decision confirms that South Gloucestershire unitary authority will remain unchanged and the ceremonial county of Gloucestershire would comprise two unitary authorities.
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire did not bid to become part of the priority programme.
1974–present district boundaries in Hertfordshire
The Hertfordshire invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Hertfordshire. It is administered by Hertfordshire County Council and ten non-metropolitan districts:
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:
Option A: Two authorities: West Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire
Option B: Three authorities: West Hertfordshire, Central Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire
Option C: Four authorities: West Hertfordshire, Southwest Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire, Central Hertfordshire.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Hertfordshire local government reorganisation proposals
Government consultation on these three proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Initial decision under review
New district boundaries in Hertfordshire announced in July 2026
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced his decision that the ceremonial county of Hertfordshire would be reorganised per the four unitary authorities proposal, with the exception of one ward from North Hertfordshire. Arbury ward would instead be in the new Central Hertfordshire authority.
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Kent and Medway
1998–present district boundaries in Kent
The Kent and Medway invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Kent. It is administered by Kent County Council, twelve non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:
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. In February 2025 it was announced that Kent would not be part of the priority programme.
Proposals
In July 2025, the county council suggested a split into three unitary authorities: West Kent, North Kent, and East Kent.
Medway Council suggested a four-authority plan including realignment of the existing Maidstone/Medway boundary.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool
1974–present district boundaries in Lancashire
The Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Lancashire. It is administered by Lancashire County Council, twelve non-metropolitan districts and two unitary authorities:
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. In December 2024, the leaders of South Ribble Council and Chorley Council proposed forming a unitary authority together with West Lancashire Council. As of October 2025, five options were under consideration by the county's councils:
Two councils, with a northern council and a southern council.
Three councils, with a northern council, a western council, and an eastern council.
Four councils, with a north-western council, a south-western council, a south-eastern council, and a north-eastern council.
Four councils, with a different configuration.
Five councils, with a mid-western council, a south-western council, a central council, a northern council, and an eastern council.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool local government reorganisation proposals
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced his decision that the ceremonial county of Lancashire would be reorganised into four unitary authorities as proposed by Chorley, Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire.
Three rival plans emerged for Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland in 2025.
Leicestershire County Council proposed a "doughnut" model with a large unitary authority covering the entire area currently served by Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council. The seven non-metropolitan Leicestershire districts and Rutland County Council jointly considered proposing two smaller unitary authorities; a "North Leicestershire and Rutland Council" and a "South Leicestershire Council". Neither of these two plans seeks to change the status or boundaries of the existing Leicester City Council unitary authority. 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, Glenfield).
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland local government reorganisation proposals
Government consultation on these three proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Initial decision under review
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced his decision that the ceremonial counties of Leicestershire and Rutland would be reorganised into two unitary authorities per the Leicester City Council proposal, with the exception of six part-parishes from Charnwood and Harborough. The parishes of Ashby Magna, Dunton Bassett, Gaulby, Houghton on the Hill, Kings Norton, and Rothley would instead remain undivided and be in the new Leicestershire and Rutland authority.
Leicester, comprising the areas currently covered by Leicester, Oadby and Wigston, 16 parishes from Blaby, 11 parishes from Charnwood, and 7 parishes from Harborough (2024 population 613,090).
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, and North Lincolnshire
1996–present district boundaries in Lincolnshire
The Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, and North Lincolnshire invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Lincolnshire. It is administered by Lincolnshire County Council, seven non-metropolitan districts and two unitary authorities:
In March 2025, three separate proposals for the future governance of Lincolnshire were published:
A single council for the area that currently makes up Lincolnshire County Council and a merger of the current two unitary authorities of North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire in the north of the county to make a single council however the proposed northern council would not be within the government's preferred minimum population quota of 500,000.
Lincolnshire split into two separate unitary authorities on a north–south basis with North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, East Lindsey, and West Lindsey making up the northern council area and Lincoln, North Kesteven, South Kesteven, Boston, and South Holland making up the southern council area. Both proposed areas fall within the governments preferred minimum population quota of 500,000.
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 East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire. It is stated that this option is unlikely to proceed because none of the proposed areas would be within the minimum population quota.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, and North Lincolnshire local government reorganisation proposals
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Nottinghamshire and Nottingham
1974–present district boundaries in Nottinghamshire
The Nottinghamshire and Nottingham invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire. It is administered by Nottinghamshire County Council, seven non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:
In March 2025, the county's councils agreed to submit three options for further consideration known as Option 1b, Option 1e, and Option Bii. 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:
As of October 2025, the councils covering the county had been unable to agree on which option to formally submit to the UK government.
Bassetlaw District Council, Gedling Borough Council, Mansfield District Council, and Newark and Sherwood District Council each indicated their support for Option 1e, arguing that it 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.
Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council both expressed a preference for Option 1b. 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.
Nottingham City Council expressed support for Option Bii, arguing that the current boundaries, drawn decades earlier, were "no longer fit for purpose" and did not reflect modern patterns of growth and connectivity. It stated: "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.
Broxtowe Borough Council 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.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Nottinghamshire and Nottingham local government reorganisation proposals
Government consultation on these three proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Initial decision under review
New district boundaries in Nottinghamshire announced in July 2026
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced his decision that the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire would be reorganised into two unitary authorities per Option Bii. Elections to the two unitary authorities will take place in May 2027, with the new boundaries going into effect from April 2028.
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Oxfordshire
1974–present district boundaries in Oxfordshire
The Oxfordshire invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Oxfordshire. It is administered by Oxfordshire County Council and five non-metropolitan districts:
Note: Two of these three proposals include the current unitary authority area of West Berkshire from the neighbouring ceremonial county of Berkshire. This is outside of the government's invitation area.
Government consultation on these three proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Initial decision under review
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced his decision that the ceremonial county of Oxfordshire and the unitary authority of West Berkshire (in the ceremonial county of Berkshire) would be reorganised per the three unitary authorities proposal.
Greater Oxford, comprising the areas currently covered by Oxford, 15 parishes from Cherwell, 25 parishes from South Oxfordshire, and 9 parishes from Vale of White Horse (2024 population 234,673).
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
1974–present district boundaries in Staffordshire
The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Staffordshire. It is administered by Staffordshire County Council, eight non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority:
In February 2025, Stoke-on-Trent City Council proposed merging with neighbouring Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands. In March 2025, the district councils of Stafford, East Staffordshire, South Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, and Tamworth jointly proposed a complementary unitary authority covering the six districts. 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 Stafford) would also be added to the northern authority.
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.
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.
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. However, since this proposal, the county council changed hands, with Reform UK now controlling the council. The Reform-led council instead proposed an east/west split.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent local government reorganisation proposals
Government consultation on these five proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Despite the differing proposals for local government reorganisation, all councils in the county have jointly proposed a mayoral strategic authority for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Initial decision under review
New district boundaries in Staffordshire announced in July 2026
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced his decision that the ceremonial county of Staffordshire would be reorganised into two unitary authorities per the north/south split proposed by Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Stafford, and Stoke-on-Trent.
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Warwickshire
1974–present district boundaries in Warwickshire
The Warwickshire invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Warwickshire. It is administered by Warwickshire County Council and five non-metropolitan districts:
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 on a north/south basis.
Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Warwickshire local government reorganisation proposals
The July 2026 ministerial decision was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
Worcestershire
1998–present district boundaries in Worcestershire
The Worcestershire invitation area is coterminous with the ceremonial county of Worcestershire. It is administered by Worcestershire County Council and six non-metropolitan districts:
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. 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. 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. West Berkshire Council was the only Berkshire council to put forward proposals for reorganisation to government.
Government consultation on three proposals for the reorganisation of local government in Oxfordshire ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026. Two of these proposals include West Berkshire. None of the proposals would affect the remainder of Berkshire.
Oxfordshire local government reorganisation proposals which impact Berkshire ceremonial county
Proposals
Proposed authorities
Composition of authority
Proposal maps
From Oxfordshire Two Unitary proposal
6 unitary authorities
Ridgeway
West Berkshire
South Oxfordshire
Vale of White Horse
Reading (unchanged)
Wokingham (unchanged)
Bracknell Forest (unchanged)
Windsor and Maidenhead (unchanged)
Slough (unchanged)
From Oxfordshire Three Unitary proposal
6 unitary authorities
Ridgeway
West Berkshire
South Oxfordshire (less 25 parishes)
Vale of White Horse (less 9 parishes)
Reading (unchanged)
Wokingham (unchanged)
Bracknell Forest (unchanged)
Windsor and Maidenhead (unchanged)
Slough (unchanged)
Initial decision under review
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced his decision that West Berkshire would be reorganised into a new 'Ridgeway' authority per the Oxfordshire three unitary proposal. This decision confirms that the remaining five Berkshire unitary authorities will remain unchanged.
The July 2026 ministerial decision for the Oxfordshire and West Berkshire area was paused and subjected to a review on 7 September 2026.
12In the parliamentary statement made by Steve Reed on 25 March 2026, the names "Western Suffolk" and "Central and Eastern Suffolk" were reversed relative to their geographical locations, however an updated letter to the council leaders in Suffolk was published the same day correcting this error.
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