LGR programme: Status updates by area
Stay updated on how the transition to unitary councils affects your area.
Select your county below to see the latest status on local mergers, 2026 election updates, and what it means for your workplace.
Last updated: 22 January 2026
Jump to a region:
Cambridgeshire | Derbyshire | Devon | East Sussex | Essex | Gloucestershire | Hampshire | Hertfordshire | Kent | Lancashire | Leicestershire | Lincolnshire | Norfolk | Nottinghamshire | Oxfordshire | Staffordshire | Suffolk | Surrey | Warwickshire | West Sussex | Worcestershire | About this page
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Cambridgeshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Cambridgeshire:
- Postponed: Peterborough City Council
- Going ahead: Cambridge City Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council
Derbyshire and Derby
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Derbyshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Devon timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Devon:
- Postponed: Exeter City Council
- Going ahead: Plymouth City Council
East Sussex and Brighton & Hove
Status: 📋 Public consultation closed 11 January 2026 - awaiting decision
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council (East Sussex only)
- Structure: Single unitary council covering current East Sussex County area
- Population: Approximately 570,000 residents
- Note: Brighton and Hove remains unchanged as existing unitary
Proposal 2: Five Unitary Councils (Pan-Sussex)
- Structure: Five unitary councils across both East and West Sussex
- Includes boundary changes splitting existing districts
- Note: This is a pan-Sussex proposal, not limited to East Sussex
East Sussex timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in East Sussex
- Postponed: East Sussex County Council, Hastings Borough Council
Devolution context: "Sussex and Brighton Mayoral Strategic Authority" (covering East and West Sussex) will be established with mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock
Status: 📋 Public consultation closed 11 January 2026 - awaiting decision
Four Competing Proposals:
Proposal 1: Three Unitary Councils - "Three Cities Model"
- Structure: Three unitary councils built around Essex's principal cities
- Configuration:
- North Essex (~604,000 residents) - Colchester, Tendring, Braintree, Uttlesford
- Mid Essex (~564,000 residents) - Chelmsford, Brentwood, Epping Forest, Harlow, Maldon
- South Essex (~729,000 residents) - Southend, Thurrock, Basildon, Castle Point, Rochford
Proposal 2: Four Unitary Councils (Thurrock Configuration)
- Structure: Four unitary councils
- Configuration:
- West (~488,000 residents) - Harlow, Epping Forest, Brentwood, Thurrock
- North East (~439,000 residents) - Braintree, Colchester, Tendring
- Central (~419,000 residents) - Uttlesford, Chelmsford, Maldon
- South (~551,000 residents) - Basildon, Castle Point, Southend, Rochford
Proposal 3: Four Unitary Councils (Rochford Configuration)
- Structure: Four unitary councils (different configuration)
- Configuration:
- North (~326,000 residents) - Braintree, Colchester, Tendring
- West (~420,000 residents) - Epping Forest, Harlow, Uttlesford
- Central (~510,000 residents) - Brentwood, Chelmsford, Maldon, Rochford
- South (~641,000 residents) - Basildon, Castle Point, Southend, Thurrock
Proposal 4: Five Unitary Councils
- Structure: Five unitary councils
- Configuration:
- West (~326,000 residents) - Uttlesford, Harlow, Epping Forest
- North East (~332,000 residents) - Braintree, Colchester, Tendring
- Mid (~369,000 residents) - Brentwood, Chelmsford, Maldon
- South West (~510,000 residents) - Thurrock, Basildon
- South East (~360,000 residents) - Castle Point, Southend, Rochford
Essex timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Essex
- Postponed: Basildon Borough Council, Harlow District Council, Thurrock Council
- Going ahead: Brentwood Borough Council, Colchester City Council, Epping Forest District Council, Essex County Council, Rochford District Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council
Devolution context: Greater Essex (including Southend and Thurrock) will form a "Mayoral Strategic Authority" with mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
Gloucestershire
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Gloucestershire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Gloucestershire
- Postponed: Cheltenham Borough Council
Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
Status: 📋 Public consultation closed 11 January 2026 - awaiting decision
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: Four Unitary Councils
- Structure: Four unitary councils plus Isle of Wight unchanged
- Configuration: Mid North, West, South East, plus Isle of Wight
Proposal 2: Five Unitary Councils (Version 1)
- Structure: Five unitary councils plus Isle of Wight unchanged
- Configuration: North, Mid, South East, South West, plus Isle of Wight
Proposal 3: Five Unitary Councils (Version 1a - with boundary changes)
- Structure: Five unitary councils with some parish boundary changes
- Configuration: North, Mid, South East, South West, plus Isle of Wight
Proposal 4: Five Unitary Councils (Version 2 - Winchester variant)
- Structure: Five unitary councils (alternative configuration)
Note: All proposals leave Isle of Wight unchanged as an existing unitary council.
Hampshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Hampshire
All council elections in the Hampshire area will proceed as normal in 2026.
Devolution context: "Hampshire and the Solent Mayoral Strategic Authority" will be established with mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
Hertfordshire
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Hertfordshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Hertfordshire
- Postponed: Stevenage Borough Council, Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council
- Going ahead: Broxbourne Borough Council, St Albans City and District Council, Three Rivers District Council, Watford Borough Council
Kent and Medway
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details of specific proposals will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Kent timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Kent
- Going ahead: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
Scale: Kent is one of the largest areas by population, with Kent County Council currently serving approximately 1.6 million residents plus Medway's 280,000.
Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Lancashire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Lancashire
- Postponed: Blackburn with Darwen Council, Burnley Borough Council, Chorley Borough Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, Preston City Council, West Lancashire Borough Council
- Going ahead: Pendle Borough Council
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Leicestershire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Lincolnshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Lincolnshire
- Postponed: City of Lincoln Council
- Going ahead: North East Lincolnshire Council
Norfolk
Status: 📋 Public consultation closed 11 January 2026 - awaiting decision
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council
- Structure: Single unitary council for all of Norfolk
- Population: Approximately 920,000 residents
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils
- Structure: Two unitary councils
- Population: Each serving approximately 460,000 residents
Proposal 3: Three Unitary Councils
- Structure: Three unitary councils
- Population: Each serving approximately 300,000 residents
Norfolk timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Norfolk
- Postponed: Norfolk County Council, Norwich City Council
Devolution context: Norfolk, together with Suffolk, will form the "Norfolk and Suffolk Mayoral Strategic Authority" with mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
Nottinghamshire and Nottingham
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Nottinghamshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Oxfordshire
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Oxfordshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Oxfordshire
- Going ahead: Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council, West Oxfordshire District Council
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Staffordshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Staffordshire
- Postponed: Cannock Chase District Council, Tamworth Borough Council
- Going ahead: Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
Suffolk
Status: 📋 Public consultation closed 11 January 2026 - awaiting decision
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council
- Structure: Single unitary council for all of Suffolk
- Population: Approximately 760,000 residents
Proposal 2: Three Unitary Councils
- Structure: Three unitary councils
- Population: Each serving approximately 250,000 residents
Suffolk timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Suffolk
- Postponed: Suffolk County Council, Ipswich Borough Council
Devolution context: Suffolk, together with Norfolk, will form the "Norfolk and Suffolk Mayoral Strategic Authority" with mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
Surrey
Status: ✅ Government decision made - Two unitary councils approved
Decision date: 28 October 2025
Approved structure:
East Surrey Council - Serving approximately 665,000 residents
- Current areas: Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge
West Surrey Council - Serving approximately 545,000 residents
- Current areas: Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Woking
Surrey timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 8 May 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 17 June - 5 August 2025
- ✅ Government decision: 28 October 2025
- 📅 Shadow council elections: May 2026
- 📅 New councils go live: April 2027
Warwickshire
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when the government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Warwickshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Warwickshire
- Postponed: Rugby Borough Council
- Going ahead: Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
West Sussex
Status: 📋 Public consultation closed 11 January 2026 - awaiting decision
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council
- Structure: Single unitary council for all of West Sussex
- Population: Approximately 880,000 residents
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils
- Structure: Two unitary councils
- Population: Each serving approximately 440,000 residents
West Sussex timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in West Sussex
- Postponed: Adur District Council, Crawley Borough Council, West Sussex County Council, Worthing Borough Council
Devolution context: West Sussex will be part of the "Sussex and Brighton Mayoral Strategic Authority" with mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
Worcestershire
Status: 📝 Proposals submitted 28 November 2025 - Consultation expected early February 2026
Proposals: Details will be published when government launches public consultation in early February 2026.
Worcestershire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: Expected early February 2026 (7 weeks)
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
2026 elections in Worcestershire
- Postponed: Redditch Borough Council
About this page
This page is updated regularly as new information becomes available. All information is based on official government announcements and publicly available documents.
Last updated: 22 January 2026
Next planned update: Following the opening of consultations in early February 2026.
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