Local government reorganisation plans on hold
The government yesterday announced a pause and review of the local government reorganisation process.
What has been announced
- The government has withdrawn the decisions made in March this year for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and, where relevant, their neighbouring unitary authorities.
- They have also decided to conduct a full review of the local government reorganisation programme, including the decisions that were announced in July this year for a further 14 areas, and the two areas where decisions have not yet been taken, and ask that reorganisation activity be paused. These 14 areas are Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and, where relevant, their neighbouring unitaries.
- The Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth will undertake a rapid review of the current local government reorganisation programme, including the position of the four areas where decisions have been withdrawn and the further 14 areas that are being reviewed and paused, alongside the two remaining areas.
- The new councils for East Surrey and West Surrey will be unaffected because they are already established in law, have had their first elections and are on track to go live in April 2027.
- Elections scheduled for May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries
This has implications for many CoramBAAF members who will have been potentially impacted by planning for local government reorganisation and will now be awaiting the outcome of the review. We will monitor the situation closely and keep members informed so that they can be aware of potential implications on their services and we will be there to support them whatever decisions are made.