Major local government shakeup in 14 areas opens for views

Thursday, 5 February 2026 13:33

From Blackpool to Plymouth, 14 areas to be transformed as part of the once-in-a-generation reforms to local government. Communities have been called on to have their say on proposals to shake-up local government and improve public services in over a dozen areas. Ministers have received a total of 52 submissions from local leaders in 14 areas including Devon, Derbyshire, and Kent relating to local government reorganisation. These proposals show plans to simplify the...Request free trial

From Blackpool to Plymouth, 14 areas to be transformed as part of the once-in-a-generation reforms to local government.

Communities have been called on to have their say on proposals to shake-up local government and improve public services in over a dozen areas.

Ministers have received a total of 52 submissions from local leaders in 14 areas including Devon, Derbyshire, and Kent relating to local government reorganisation.

These proposals show plans to simplify the needless duplication and reduce bureaucracy, and they have today (5 February) been put forward for local people, organisations, and businesses to have their say.

This is the latest step in our plans to reorganise local government which will end the current wasteful two-tier system and replace it with stronger unitary councils that can deliver for local people.

Residents will receive better, more efficient public service, freeing up cash for local priorities like fixing potholes and more regular bus services as a result.

Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern said:

Unitary councils provide clarity for residents and are more effective.

That's why we're carrying out the biggest change to local government in a generation, and I would encourage local people and businesses to share their views in shaping the future of their area.

Local Government Reorganisation will support the transformation of places by: 

Bringing critical decisions on housing, planning and transport under one roof to speed up decision-making in key areas like housebuilding;
Ensuring families needing multiple services like SEND support, social housing and education only contact one council instead of being passed between several;
Bringing together housing, children's and adult social care, and planning in one council so homes can better meet residents' specific needs, including those with disabilities and care leavers; and
Reducing costs by joining up services while improving quality. For example, combining waste collection and disposal can increase recycling, or Trading Standards and Licensing teams can work together to stop illegal sales to young people.

The consultation across these 14 areas will run for seven weeks, until 25 March 2026.

Local Government Reorganisation is an ongoing process to deliver simplified more efficient local authorities and reduce wasted spending on bureaucracy. In Surrey, two new unitary authorities will replace 11 small district and borough councils and one county council, bringing local services under one roof and removing bureaucratic boundaries.

Previous reorganisations have delivered:

Savings of over £40 million in North Yorkshire expected by March 2026.
Savings of over £75 million since 2020 in Buckinghamshire and delivery of a programme to harmonise systems and processes including its property portfolio and IT systems.
Savings of over £17 million in three years in North Northamptonshire by delivering a transformation programme that reduced senior management posts, contract rationalisation and new case management systems.