Status updates by area - LGR programme
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.
Latest update: 16 July 2026 was decision day. The government confirmed which reorganisation proposals will be implemented in 14 areas, with elections to the new councils expected in May 2027 and go-live (vesting day) in April 2028. All decisions are subject to Parliamentary approval of a Structural Changes Order for each area.
Council names shown below are working names from the winning proposals, not final names. Alongside the decisions, the government confirmed more than £1 million of transition support per new unitary council and published new staffing guidance covering how staff transfer to the new councils. Read our full decision day round-up here.
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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: ⏸️ Decision deferred — government has confirmed it needs more time, with a decision expected by October 2026 at the latest.
On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State wrote to council leaders confirming that no decision is being made yet, citing the particular importance of Cambridge and its wider region to national economic growth. Government says a decision by October will still allow elections in May 2027 and new councils going live in April 2028.
Competing proposals still in review:
Proposal 1: Two Unitary Councils (Option A) Structure: Two unitary councils covering the whole area Configuration: North West; South East
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils (Option B) Structure: Two unitary councils covering the whole area Configuration: North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; Greater Cambridge
Proposal 3: Three Unitary Councils (Option D - with boundary changes) Structure: Three unitary councils involving splits of existing district wards Configuration: Greater Peterborough; Mid Cambridgeshire; Greater Cambridge
Proposal 4: Three Unitary Councils (Option E) Structure: Three unitary councils covering the whole area Configuration: North East; Central Huntingdonshire; South West
Cambridgeshire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ⏸️ Decision deferred: 16 July 2026
- 📋 Government decision: Expected by October 2026 at the latest
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is already fully operational. Newly announced unitary footprints must structurally align with and reinforce these existing devolution frameworks.
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Derbyshire and Derby
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — two unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the two unitary option requested by Chesterfield Borough Council, Derby City Council, Erewash Borough Council and High Peak Borough Council. Delivering it meant modifying the two unitary proposal submitted by South Derbyshire District Council, which splits Amber Valley between the two new councils by parish..
Approved structure (working names from the proposal):
- Northern Derbyshire – Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, High Peak and North East Derbyshire, plus 21 parishes from Amber Valley
- Southern Derbyshire – Derby, Erewash and South Derbyshire, plus 14 parishes from Amber Valley
Derbyshire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The East Midlands Combined County Authority is already established; the new unitaries will need to work alongside and support this regional authority.
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Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — four unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the four unitary proposal submitted by Exeter City Council and Plymouth City Council, including the boundary changes requested alongside it. All three cities expand into neighbouring parishes, with a new rural council covering the rest of the county.
Approved structure (working names from the proposal):
- Exeter – Exeter City, plus 15 parishes from Teignbridge, 28 from East Devon and 6 from Mid Devon
- Plymouth – Plymouth City, plus 13 parishes from South Hams
- Torbay – Torbay, plus 17 parishes from Teignbridge and 4 from South Hams
- Devon Coast and Countryside – the remaining areas of East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Torridge and West Devon
Devon timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Workforce note: This is one of the more complex transitions in the country, with staff from several districts being split between new councils at parish level. New national staffing guidance published on 16 July sets out how councils should decide which new authority each employee transfers to.
Population note: all four councils fall below the 500,000 figure, which government set out as a guiding principle rather than a fixed threshold. Government noted that Plymouth and Torbay both gain population compared with their current boundaries, and that Devon Coast and Countryside sits close to the figure.
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East Sussex and Brighton & Hove
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — two unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the two unitary proposal submitted by East Sussex County Council, Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes and Rother, with a modified boundary change requested by Brighton and Hove City Council. Four Lewes wards move into an expanded Brighton and Hove; the parish of Falmer stays in the new East Sussex Council, given its rural identity.
Approved structure:
- East Sussex Council – Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes (minus four wards), Rother and Wealden
- Brighton and Hove – the existing city council, expanded with four wards from Lewes (excluding Falmer parish)
Falmer has a population of around 300. Government decided it should stay in East Sussex Council on grounds of rural identity, which also reduces the complexity of the boundary change and of splitting services.
East Sussex timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
- ✅ Initial public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
- ✅ Reopened technical consultation closed: 15 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29th April 2026. Under it, the Sussex and Brighton Mayoral Strategic Authority has been established, with inaugural mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
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Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock
Status: ⚠️ Two legal challenges — five unitary councils approved in March 2026, with judicial reviews brought by Essex County Council and, separately, Harlow District Council.
Approved structure (currently subject to legal dispute): Structure: Five unitary councils Configuration:
- West Essex Council (~326,000 residents) - Uttlesford, Harlow, Epping Forest
- North East Essex Council (~332,000 residents) - Braintree, Colchester, Tendring
- Mid Essex Council (~369,000 residents) - Brentwood, Chelmsford, Maldon
- South West Essex Council (~510,000 residents) - Thurrock, Basildon
- South East Essex Council (~360,000 residents) - Castle Point, Southend, Rochford
Essex timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 25 March 2026
- ⚠️ Essex County Council resolves to proceed with judicial review: 19 June 2026
- ⚠️ Judicial review papers served: early July 2026
- ⚠️ Harlow District Council launches separate judicial review: 22 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Workforce note: Essex County Council is challenging the government's decision through a judicial review. Its pre-action letter set out six grounds, covering the adequacy of the reasons given, procedural fairness, the consultation, how the Secretary of State applied his own criteria, rationality, and the public sector equality duty. MHCLG rejected all six. The council's leadership resolved to proceed on 19th June 2026, papers were served in early July, and the council stated on 3rd July that the review had been accepted.
Government's response to the pre-action letter also disclosed that officials had recommended the three-council model rather than the five-council model the Secretary of State chose, on the basis of financial viability, with officials from the Department for Education and the Department of Health also raising concerns. The Secretary of State's published position is that the five-council proposal best met the criteria, reflected the county's five urban centres, and had the support of ten of the area's fifteen councils. Government has separately committed in principle to repaying £200 million of Thurrock Council debt.
On 22nd July 2026, Harlow District Council launched a separate judicial review, arguing the implementation timetable is not deliverable.
For staff, the practical picture is steadier than two legal challenges suggests. The Essex Leaders and Chief Executives group, which covers all fifteen councils, has said its focus is on delivering the new structure, and government has not changed the published timetable. Judicial review tests how a decision was made rather than whether reorganisation happens.
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Gloucestershire
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — one unitary council confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the one unitary proposal submitted by Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Stroud District Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council. Gloucestershire is the only area in this round to move to a single council.
Approved structure:
- Gloucestershire – one council covering Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud and Tewkesbury
Gloucestershire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New council goes live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Workforce note: A single-council model means aggregation rather than disaggregation: seven existing councils' workforces will come together under one employer, with staff transferring under TUPE on their existing terms.
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Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
Status: ⚠️ Legal challenge — five unitary councils approved in March 2026, with Hampshire County Council pursuing a judicial review of the decision.
Approved structure (currently subject to legal dispute): Structure: Five unitary councils with specific parish boundary modifications Configuration:
- North Hampshire Council - Basingstoke and Deane, Hart and Rushmoor
- Mid Hampshire Council - East Hampshire, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester (minus the 11 parishes shifting south)
- South East Hampshire Council - Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth, plus the parishes of Newlands, Clanfield, Horndean, and Rowlands Castle
- South West Hampshire Council - Eastleigh, Southampton, plus the parishes of Totton and Eling, Marchwood, Hythe and Dibden, Fawley, Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams, and Valley Park
- Isle of Wight Council - Remains as a separate, standalone island authority
Hampshire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 25 March 2026
- ⚠️ Pre-action letter sent: April 2026
- ⚠️ Council confirms it will proceed: 21 May 2026
- ⚠️ Legal challenge begun: June 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027 (dependent on court outcomes)
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Workforce note: Some of the approved councils sit below the 500,000 population figure government set out as a guiding principle, though not a fixed threshold, for new unitaries.
Hampshire County Council is pursuing a judicial review of the government's decision. It sent a pre-action letter in April 2026, its leader confirmed at the council's annual general meeting on 21st May 2026 that it would proceed, and the council stated in late June that it had begun its legal challenge. Its stated grounds concern the evidence and justification behind the decision and the process followed, rather than opposition to reorganisation in principle. Not every council in the area takes the same view, and New Forest District Council decided against a challenge of its own after taking counsel's advice.
For anyone working in an affected council, the practical effect so far is limited. A judicial review of this kind tests how a decision was made rather than whether reorganisation happens, and government has not changed the published timetable. Existing councils remain subject to controls on major spending and asset decisions.
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Hertfordshire
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — four unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the four unitary proposal submitted by Broxbourne, Dacorum, Hertsmere, North Hertfordshire, Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield councils, with most of the requested boundary changes. One exception: the Arbury ward stays in the Central council rather than moving to the Eastern council, reflecting its links to Baldock and the A1 corridor.
Approved structure (working names from the proposal):
- North West – Dacorum and St Albans
- South West – Hertsmere, Three Rivers and Watford
- Central – North Hertfordshire (minus five wards), Stevenage and Welwyn Hatfield (minus one ward)
- Eastern – Broxbourne and East Herts, plus five wards from North Hertfordshire and one ward from Welwyn Hatfield
Hertfordshire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Devolution context: There is a strong, collaborative ambition across all 11 legacy authorities to establish a Mayoral Combined Authority for Hertfordshire to run alongside this transition.
Population note: all four councils fall below the 500,000 figure, which government set out as a guiding principle rather than a fixed threshold.
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Kent and Medway
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — four unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the four unitary proposal submitted by Dover District Council, Swale Borough Council and Thanet District Council, which keeps to existing district and borough boundaries with no splits. The one unitary proposal was judged not to meet the criteria, largely because a single council of over 1.9 million people would far exceed the 500,000 guiding principle.Two of the four confirmed councils also fall below the 500,000 figure, both close to it. Government confirmed the figure has always been a guiding principle rather than a fixed threshold.
Approved structure (working names from the proposal):
- North – Dartford, Gravesham and Medway
- West – Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, and Tunbridge Wells
- Mid – Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe, and Swale
- East – Canterbury, Dover and Thanet
Kent timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Scale: Kent is one of the largest regional workforce reorganisations in the UK. The transition will replace Kent County Council (serving 1.6 million residents) and 12 district and borough authorities, alongside changes for the existing Medway unitary. Government has also confirmed it is working with the Home Office and Department for Education on arrangements for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children services under the new structures.
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Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — four unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the four unitary proposal submitted by Chorley, Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley, South Ribble and West Lancashire councils, which keeps to existing council boundaries.
Approved structure (working names from the proposal):
- North Lancashire – Lancaster, Preston and Ribble Valley
- South Lancashire – Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire
- Pennine Lancashire – Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale
- Fylde Coast – Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
Lancashire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The Lancashire Combined County Authority (CCA) is already fully operational as a Level 2 authority, and the new unitaries will plug directly into this county-wide governance model.
Population note: three of the four councils fall below the 500,000 figure, which government confirmed is a guiding principle rather than a fixed threshold.
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Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — two unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the two unitary proposal submitted by Leicester City Council, with a modified version of the boundary expansion the city requested. Six part-parishes (Ashby Magna, Dunton Bassett, Gaulby, Houghton on the Hill, Kings Norton and Rothley) will stay in the county council rather than moving into the expanded city.
Approved structure (working names from the proposal):
- Leicester Council – Leicester City and Oadby and Wigston, plus 16 parishes from Blaby, 11 from Charnwood and 7 from Harborough
- Leicestershire & Rutland – the remaining areas of Blaby, Charnwood and Harborough, plus Hinckley and Bosworth, Melton, North West Leicestershire and Rutland
Leicestershire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
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Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — four-council structure confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the four unitary proposal submitted by the City of Lincoln Council, with the boundary changes requested alongside it. Worth being clear on the detail here: only two of the four councils are new. North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire continue unchanged as existing unitaries.
Approved structure (working names from the proposal):
- Lincoln City – the City of Lincoln, expanded with 12 wards from North Kesteven and 7 from West Lindsey
- Rural Lincolnshire – Boston, East Lindsey, South Kesteven and South Holland, plus the remaining areas of North Kesteven and West Lindsey
- North Lincolnshire – unchanged
- North East Lincolnshire – unchanged
Lincolnshire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority is already fully operational following the May 2025 regional elections, and the confirmed unitary layout will plug directly into this established mayoral governance tier.
Population note: three of the four councils fall below the 500,000 figure. Government acknowledged the new Lincoln City council is small and accepted this as justified, on the basis that the option balanced the criteria better overall.
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Norfolk
Status: ⚠️ Legal challenge — three unitary councils approved in March 2026, with Norfolk County Council's judicial review awaiting a decision on permission to proceed.
Approved structure: Structure: Three unitary councils (each serving roughly 300,000 residents) Configuration:
- West Norfolk Council - Breckland, King's Lynn and West Norfolk, and 9 parishes from South Norfolk
- Greater Norwich Council - Norwich, 19 parishes from Broadland, and 16 parishes from South Norfolk
- East Norfolk Council - Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk, and the remaining areas of Broadland and South Norfolk
Norfolk timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 25 March 2026
- ⚠️ Pre-action letter sent: June 2026
- ⚠️ Judicial review submitted: 25 June 2026
- 📋 Court decision on permission to proceed: awaited
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Workforce note: Norfolk County Council submitted a judicial review of the government's decision on 25th June 2026, following a pre-action letter from its deputy leader to the Secretary of State. The court has yet to decide whether to grant permission for the case to proceed. If it does, a substantive hearing would examine whether the decision-making process was lawful.
Government's response to pre-action correspondence disclosed that MHCLG officials had recommended a single unitary for Norfolk, judging it to meet the published criteria more strongly than the two and three council models. The Secretary of State's stated concern was the scale of a single Norfolk authority, which would have been among the largest single-tier councils in the country. The three council model was supported by all but one of Norfolk's district councils and by respondents to the consultation.
Norfolk County Council's chief executive, who had been lead officer for reorganisation in the county, left at the end of June 2026.
Devolution context: The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29th April 2026. Under it, Norfolk will join with Suffolk to form the Norfolk and Suffolk Mayoral Strategic Authority, with inaugural mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
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Nottinghamshire and Nottingham
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — two unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the two unitary option requested by Nottingham City Council (shown in the consultation as proposal Bii), implemented by modifying the proposal submitted by Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council. This expands the city boundary at ward level across three districts.
Approved structure (working names from the option):
- Southwest – Nottingham City, plus 15 wards from Broxtowe, 15 from Gedling and 17 from Rushcliffe
- North and East – Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Newark & Sherwood, plus the remaining 5 Broxtowe wards, 4 Gedling wards and 7 Rushcliffe wards
Nottinghamshire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is fully established, covering both Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire under a unified mayoral tier. The decision follows a period of local disagreement, with Nottinghamshire County Council having publicly opposed aspects of the process.
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Oxfordshire
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — three unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the three unitary proposal submitted by Oxford City Council, including the boundary change requested alongside it. Notably, the new Ridgeway Council includes West Berkshire, an existing unitary from outside the original invitation area.
Approved structure (working names from the proposal):
- Greater Oxford Council – Oxford City, plus 15 parishes from Cherwell, 25 from South Oxfordshire and 9 from Vale of White Horse
- Northern Oxfordshire Council – the remaining area of Cherwell, plus West Oxfordshire
- Ridgeway Council – the remaining areas of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, plus West Berkshire
Oxfordshire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Devolution context: Local council leaders are progressing plans alongside this transition to establish a cross-regional Mayoral Strategic Authority spanning the Thames Valley.
Population note: all three councils fall below the 500,000 figure, which government confirmed is a guiding principle rather than a fixed threshold.
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Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — two unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the two unitary proposal submitted by East Staffordshire Borough Council, Stafford Borough Council and Cannock Chase District Council, and also by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The confirmed structure follows existing council boundaries with a North/South split.
Approved structure (working names from the proposals):
- North Staffordshire – Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands and Stoke-on-Trent
- Southern and Mid Staffordshire – Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, South Staffordshire, Stafford and Tamworth
Staffordshire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
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Suffolk
Status: ⚠️ Legal challenge — three unitary councils approved in March 2026, with Suffolk County Council pursuing a judicial review.
Approved structure (currently subject to legal dispute): Structure: Three unitary councils Configuration:
- West Suffolk Council – Replacing West Suffolk Council and absorbing parts of Babergh and Mid Suffolk.
- Central and East Suffolk Council – Replacing East Suffolk Council and absorbing remaining parts of Mid Suffolk.
- Ipswich and South Suffolk Council – Replacing Ipswich Borough Council and absorbing parts of Babergh and East Suffolk (including a boundary expansion to grow the size of Ipswich).
Suffolk timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 25 March 2026
- ✅ Future Suffolk transition portal launched: May 2026
- ⚠️ Pre-action letter issued: June 2026
- ⚠️ Judicial review proceedings launched: June 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027 (dependent on court outcomes)
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Devolution context: Under the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, which received Royal Assent on 29th April 2026, Suffolk will join with Norfolk to form the Norfolk and Suffolk Mayoral Strategic Authority. The inaugural mayoral election is expected in May 2028, aligning with vesting day.
Workforce note: Suffolk County Council is pursuing a judicial review of the government's decision, having favoured a single county-wide unitary. Government's response to its pre-action letter disclosed that officials had recommended a single unitary, which the Secretary of State did not adopt. The three council model was supported by Suffolk's district councils. Government has not changed the published timetable.
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Surrey
Status: ✅ Accelerated shadow authorities operational — two unitary councils approved; shadow governance actively leading workforce alignment following successful May elections.
Approved structure:
West Surrey Council (~685,000 residents) Legacy Areas Absorbed: Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Woking, plus Surrey County Council services across the West.
East Surrey Council (~564,000 residents) Legacy Areas Absorbed: Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge, plus Surrey County Council services across the East.
Surrey timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 8 May 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 17 June - 5 August 2025
- ✅ Government decision announced: 28 October 2025
- ✅ Structural Changes Order made 9 March 2026, in force 10 March 2026
- ✅ Shadow Council Elections successfully held: 7 May 2026
- 📋 Shadow Authorities & HR migration active: Ongoing summer 2026
- 📅 Statutory senior appointments deadline: Shadow authorities must appoint their chief executive, monitoring officer and chief financial officer by 31 December 2026
- 📅 New unitary councils go live (Vesting Day): 1 April 2027
Workforce note: Driven by an immediate requirement to stabilise regional finances, Surrey remains on a fast-tracked schedule roughly a year ahead of the rest of the country. Following the elections on 7 May 2026, the temporary joint committees disbanded, and the newly elected Shadow East Surrey Council and Shadow West Surrey Council took power. Shadow executive boards are currently working through the transfer of staff and community assets under TUPE ahead of go-live on 1 April 2027. Because Surrey is first, every other LGR area is watching how this transition lands; the national staffing guidance published on 16 July 2026 draws directly on the Surrey arrangements.
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Warwickshire
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — two unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the two unitary proposal submitted by North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth, Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick councils, dividing the county along existing boundaries.
Approved structure (working names from the proposal):
- North Warwickshire – North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth and Rugby
- South Warwickshire – Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick
Warwickshire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Workforce note: Joint officer-level transition teams submitted their structural frameworks to MHCLG on 16 June, so implementation planning has a head start now the two-council model is confirmed.
Population note: both councils fall below the 500,000 figure, which government confirmed is a guiding principle rather than a fixed threshold.
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West Sussex
Status: ⏸️ Decision deferred — government confirmed on 16 July 2026 that more time is needed before announcing a configuration for West Sussex.
The Secretary of State wrote to West Sussex council leaders on 16 July confirming that no decision is being announced yet. Unlike Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, no target date has been given publicly. Government says it remains committed to the overall timetable.
Options under consideration:
Two unitary councils, north and west with a separate coastal authority
- North & West Council (Pop: ~566,000): Chichester District shifts away from the coast to join Crawley Borough, Horsham District, and Mid Sussex District.
- Coastal Council (Pop: ~349,000): Adur District, Arun District, and Worthing Borough merged into a single maritime authority.
Also submitted:
- Proposal 1 (County Council Preferred Option): A single county-wide unitary council for all of West Sussex to protect unified adult and children's services (Pop: ~880,000).
- Proposal 2 (Original Districts Preferred Option): Two unitary councils splitting the county evenly, keeping Chichester grouped with the coastal authorities (Pop: ~440,000 each).
West Sussex timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 26 September 2025
- ✅ Initial public consultation: 19 November 2025 - 11 January 2026
- ✅ Reopened technical consultation closed: 15 June 2026
- ⏸️ Decision deferred: 16 July 2026
- 📋 Government decision: Awaited (no public deadline given)
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Devolution context: West Sussex will structurally sit under the freshly codified "Sussex and Brighton Mayoral Strategic Authority." While the inaugural strategic authority meetings commenced in April 2026, the structural architecture is being aligned for the first official regional mayoral election in May 2028.
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Worcestershire
Status: ✅ Government decision made (16 July 2026) — two unitary councils confirmed, subject to Parliamentary approval.
The Secretary of State selected the two unitary proposal submitted by Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester City and Wychavon councils, splitting the county along existing boundaries.
Approved structure (working names from the proposals):
- North Worcestershire – Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest
- South Worcestershire – Malvern Hills, Worcester City and Wychavon
Worcestershire timeline:
- ✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
- ✅ Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
- ✅ SCO representations finalised: 16 June 2026
- ✅ Government decision announced: 16 July 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
- 📅 New councils go live (Vesting Day): Expected April 2028
Workforce note: Government judged this option likely to represent an overall improvement in sustainability over current structures, while noting the projected time needed to repay the upfront costs of reorganisation. Both new councils will face early scrutiny on financial sustainability and on pressures in children's and adult social care.
Population note: both councils fall below the 500,000 figure, which government confirmed is a guiding principle rather than a fixed threshold.
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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. Decisions announced on 16 July 2026 are subject to Parliamentary approval of a Structural Changes Order for each area, and council names shown are working names from proposals, not final names.
Last updated: 30th July 2026
Next planned update: Following the government's decision for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (expected by October 2026) or any announcement for West Sussex, whichever comes first.
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