Local government reorganisation: further letter to council leaders with elections in May 2026

Letter from the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to leaders of 4 councils in relation to their position on 2026 local elections.

Letter to leader of Essex County Council

Letter to leader of Norfolk County Council

Letter to leader of Oxford City Council

Letter to leader of Southampton City Council

Details

On 19 January 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government wrote to the leaders of 4 councils due to hold local elections in 2026.

These councils were:

• Essex County Council
• Norfolk County Council
• Oxford City Council
• Southampton City Council

In the letter, the Secretary of State asked the councils to clarify their position in relation to potential postponement of these elections.