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.
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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: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 - seeking views.
Competing proposals
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
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority is already established, and new structures must support these existing devolution arrangements.
Derbyshire and Derby
Status: 📝 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council
- Structure: Single unitary council covering the whole area of Derbyshire and Derby
- Configuration: All 9 current council areas merged into one
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils (Amber Valley proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils covering the current area
- Configuration: 6 districts in the North; 2 districts and Derby in the South
Proposal 3: Two Unitary Councils (Bolsover and North-East Derbyshire proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils involving boundary changes, splitting Amber Valley borough
- Configuration: North/South split with Amber Valley borough divided between the two by parish
Proposal 4: Two Unitary Councils (Derby, Chesterfield, Erewash, and High Peak proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils involving redrawn boundaries in Amber Valley (same configuration as Proposal 3)
Proposal 5: Two Unitary Councils (South Derbyshire proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils covering the current area
- Configuration: 5 districts in the North; 3 districts and Derby (including Amber Valley) in the South
Derbyshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The East Midlands Combined County Authority is already established; new unitaries must support this structure.
Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
Status: 📝 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: Three Unitary Councils (Devon County proposal)
- Structure: Single large unitary for the county alongside existing cities
- Configuration: Devon Unitary (8 districts merged); Plymouth and Torbay remain unchanged
Proposal 2: Three Unitary Councils (South Hams, Teignbridge, and West Devon proposal)
- Structure: Two new unitaries created by merging districts with Torbay
- Configuration: Exeter & Northern Devon; Torbay & Southern Devon; Plymouth remains unchanged
Proposal 3: Three Unitary Councils (East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, and Torridge proposal)
- Structure: Two new unitaries plus an expanded Plymouth
- Configuration: Exeter & Northern Devon; Torbay & Southern Devon; Plymouth expanded into South Hams parishes
Proposal 4: Four Unitary Councils (Exeter and Plymouth proposal)
- Structure: Four unitaries involving significant boundary changes for the cities
- Configuration: Expanded Exeter; Expanded Plymouth; Expanded Torbay; new Devon Coast & Countryside council
Proposal 5: Four Unitary Councils (Torbay proposal)
- Structure: Four unitaries with expanded city boundaries but Torbay unchanged
- Configuration: Expanded Exeter; Expanded Plymouth; Torbay unchanged; Rural Devon Coast & Countryside council
Devon timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
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
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
Devolution context: Greater Essex (including Southend and Thurrock) will form a "Mayoral Strategic Authority" with mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
Gloucestershire
Status: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council
- Structure: Single unitary council covering the whole county
- Configuration: All 6 current district areas merged into one
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils (Cheltenham proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils covering the current area
- Configuration: East Gloucestershire and West Gloucestershire
Proposal 3: Two Unitary Councils (Gloucester City proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils involving a split of existing district areas
- Configuration:
- Greater Gloucester City: Gloucester city plus 21 parishes from Tewkesbury, Stroud, and Forest of Dean
- Gloucestershire: Remaining parts of those three districts plus Cheltenham and Cotswold
Gloucestershire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
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
Devolution context: "Hampshire and the Solent Mayoral Strategic Authority" will be established with mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
Hertfordshire
Status: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: Two Unitary Councils
- Structure: Two unitary councils covering the whole county
- Configuration: West (Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford); Eastern (Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield)
Proposal 2: Three Unitary Councils (with boundary changes)
- Structure: Three unitary councils involving splits of existing district wards
- Configuration: West (Dacorum, Three Rivers, Watford, +2 Hertsmere wards); Central (Hertsmere minus 2 wards, St Albans, Welwyn Hatfield); Eastern (Broxbourne, East Herts, North Herts, Stevenage)
Proposal 3: Four Unitary Councils (with boundary changes)
- Structure: Four unitary councils involving splits of existing district wards
- Configuration: North West (Dacorum, St Albans); South West (Hertsmere, Three Rivers, Watford); Central (Stevenage, part of North Herts, part of Welwyn Hatfield); Eastern (Broxbourne, East Herts, +7 wards from other districts
Hertfordshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Devolution context: There is a strong ambition to establish a Mayoral Strategic Authority (MSA) for Hertfordshire by 2028, aligning with the reorganisation timeline to ensure critical decisions are made locally.
Kent and Medway
Status: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council (Kent County Council proposal)
- Structure: Single unitary council covering the entire area of Kent and Medway
- Configuration: Merges all 13 current Kent councils plus the existing Medway unitary
Proposal 2: Three Unitary Councils
- Structure: Three unitary councils covering the current area
- Configuration: North (Dartford, Gravesham, Medway, Swale); West (Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells); East (Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, Thanet)
Proposal 3: Four Unitary Councils (Dover, Swale, and Thanet proposal)
- Structure: Four unitary councils covering the current area
- Configuration: North; West; Mid (Swale, Ashford, Folkestone & Hythe); East (Canterbury, Dover, Thanet)
Proposal 4: Four Unitary Councils (Medway, Ashford, and Canterbury proposal - with boundary changes)
- Structure: Four unitary councils involving significant splits of existing district areas
- Configuration: North Kent; West Kent; East Kent; Mid Kent (reconfigured by splitting districts like Swale and Maidstone by percentage/ward)
Proposal 5: Five Unitary Councils (Dartford and Gravesham proposal - with boundary changes)
- Structure: Five unitary councils involving district splits
- Configuration: North Kent; West Kent; East Kent; Mid Kent (Medway/Swale mix); South Kent (Ashford, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe)
Kent timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
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: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: Two Unitary Councils (Lancashire County proposal)
- Structure: Two large unitary councils covering the whole area
- Configuration: North Lancashire and South Lancashire
Proposal 2: Three Unitary Councils
- Structure: Three unitary councils covering the whole area
- Configuration: Central Lancashire; Coastal Lancashire; Pennine Lancashire
Proposal 3: Four Unitary Councils (Chorley, Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire proposal)
- Structure: Four unitary councils covering the whole area
- Configuration: Fylde Coast (Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre); North Lancashire (Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley); Pennine Lancashire (Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale); South Lancashire (Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire)
Proposal 4: Four Unitary Councils (Blackpool Council proposal - with boundary changes)
- Structure: Four unitary councils involving splits of existing district wards
- Configuration: Eastern (Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, +17 Ribble Valley wards); Northern (Lancaster, +10 Ribble Valley wards, +8 Wyre wards); Southern (Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire); Western (Blackpool, Fylde, Preston, +16 Wyre wards)
Proposal 5: Five Unitary Councils
- Structure: Five unitary councils covering the whole area
- Configuration: East (Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale); Middle (Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley); North (Lancaster, Wyre); South (Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire); West (Blackpool, Fylde, Preston)
Lancashire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The Lancashire Combined County Authority (CCA) is already established as a Level 2 authority without an elected Mayor. New unitary structures must support and enhance these existing devolution arrangements.
Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland
Status: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: Two Unitary Councils (Leicester City proposal - with boundary changes)
- Structure: Two unitary councils involving an expansion of the existing city boundary
- Configuration: Expanded City (Leicester, Oadby and Wigston, plus 24 whole/part parishes from Blaby, Charnwood, and Harborough); Unitary Authority 2 (Remaining county areas and Rutland)
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils (Leicestershire County proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils covering the whole area
- Configuration: Leicestershire (8 districts and Rutland merged); Leicester City remains unchanged
Proposal 3: Three Unitary Councils (Districts and Rutland proposal)
- Structure: Three unitary councils covering the whole area
- Configuration: North (Charnwood, North West Leicestershire, Melton, Rutland); South (Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, Oadby and Wigston); Leicester City remains unchanged
Leicestershire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 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: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: Two Unitary Councils
- Structure: Two unitary councils covering the current area
- Configuration: Northern Lincolnshire and Southern Lincolnshire
Proposal 2: Three Unitary Councils (Lincolnshire County proposal)
- Structure: Three unitary councils covering the current area
- Configuration: Lincolnshire (merger of all 7 current county districts); North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire remain unchanged
Proposal 3: Four Unitary Councils (City of Lincoln proposal - with boundary changes)
- Structure: Four unitary councils involving splits of existing district wards
- Configuration: Lincoln City (expanded with 19 wards from North Kesteven and West Lindsey); Rural Lincolnshire (remaining county areas); North East Lincs and North Lincs remain unchanged
Proposal 4: Four Unitary Councils (North Kesteven and South Kesteven proposal)
- Structure: Four unitary councils covering the current area
- Configuration: Unitary Authority 1 (North Kesteven, South Holland, South Kesteven); Unitary Authority 2 (Boston, Lincoln, East Lindsey, West Lindsey); North East Lincs and North Lincs remain unchanged
Lincolnshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority is already established, featuring a directly elected Mayor with the first election expected in May 2025. All new unitary structures must support and effectively function within this established devolution governance.
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
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: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: Two Unitary Councils (Bassetlaw, Gedling, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils dividing the county north-to-south
- Configuration: Sherwood Forest (Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Gedling, Mansfield, Newark & Sherwood); Nottingham and South Nottinghamshire (Broxtowe, Nottingham City, Rushcliffe)
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils (Nottingham City proposal - with boundary changes)
- Structure: Two unitary councils involving an expansion of the existing city boundary
- Configuration: Southwest (Nottingham City plus 47 wards from Broxtowe, Gedling, and Rushcliffe); North and East (Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark & Sherwood plus 16 remaining wards from other districts)
Proposal 3: Two Unitary Councils (Nottinghamshire County and Rushcliffe proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils based on existing district boundaries
- Configuration: Nottingham City (merged with Broxtowe and Gedling); Nottinghamshire (Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark & Sherwood, Rushcliffe)
Nottinghamshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is already established, covering both Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. New unitary structures must support and effectively function within this existing mayoral strategic structure.
Oxfordshire
Status: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council
- Structure: Single unitary council covering the current county council boundary
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils
- Structure: Two unitary councils, including the existing West Berkshire unitary council
- Configuration: Oxford and Shires Council (Cherwell, Oxford City, West Oxfordshire); Ridgeway Council (South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Berkshire)
Proposal 3: Three Unitary Councils
- Structure: Three unitary councils involving district splits and West Berkshire
- Configuration: Greater Oxford Council (expanded city boundary); Northern Oxfordshire Council (most of Cherwell and West Oxfordshire); Ridgeway Council (South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse, West Berkshire)
Oxfordshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent
Status: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: Two Unitary Councils (Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Stafford, and Stoke-on-Trent proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils dividing the area north-to-south
- Configuration: North Staffordshire and South Staffordshire
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils (Staffordshire County Council proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils based on an east-west split
- Configuration: East Staffordshire and West Staffordshire
Proposal 3: Two Unitary Councils (Staffordshire Moorlands proposal - with boundary changes)
- Structure: Two unitary councils involving splits of existing district areas
- Configuration: North Staffordshire (expanded with 22 parishes from East Staffordshire and Stafford); Southern and Mid-Staffordshire (remaining areas)
Proposal 4: Three Unitary Councils
- Structure: Three unitary councils covering the whole area
- Configuration: North Staffordshire (Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent); South-West Staffordshire (Cannock Chase, South Staffordshire, Stafford); South-East Staffordshire (Lichfield, East Staffordshire, Tamworth)
Proposal 5: Four Unitary Councils (Newcastle-under-Lyme proposal)
- Structure: Four unitary councils covering the current area
- Configuration: UA 1 (Newcastle-under-Lyme); UA 2 (Cannock Chase, South Staffs, Stafford); UA 3 (Staffordshire Moorlands, Stoke-on-Trent); UA 4 (East Staffs, Lichfield, Tamworth)
Staffordshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
Devolution context: The ambition is for all of England to access devolved powers via Strategic Authorities. Any new structures must support these arrangements, specifically addressing how existing strategic groups like Midlands Connect will continue to function.
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
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
- ✅ Structural Changes Order laid in Parliament: 14 January 2026
- ✅ Joint Committees began meeting: January 2026
- 📅 Shadow council elections: May 2026
- 📅 New councils go live: April 2027
What happens next in Surrey? Read our guide to Surrey's LGR timeline here.
Warwickshire
Status: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council (County Council and Rugby proposal)
- Structure: Single unitary council for the whole county
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils (Districts and Boroughs proposal)
- Structure: Two unitary councils dividing the county
- Configuration: North unitary authority (North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth, Rugby); South unitary authority (Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick)
Warwickshire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
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
Devolution context: West Sussex will be part of the "Sussex and Brighton Mayoral Strategic Authority" with mayoral elections expected in May 2028.
Worcestershire
Status: 📋 Public consultation open until 26 March 2026 – seeking views
Competing proposals:
Proposal 1: One Unitary Council (One Worcestershire)
- Structure: Single unitary council for the whole county
Proposal 2: Two Unitary Councils (Transforming Worcestershire)
- Structure: Two unitary councils dividing the county north-to-south
- Configuration: North Worcestershire (Bromsgrove, Redditch, Wyre Forest); South Worcestershire (Malvern Hills, Worcester City, Wychavon)
Worcestershire timeline:
✅ Proposals submitted: 28 November 2025
📋 Public consultation: 5 February 2026 – 26 March 2026
📅 Government decision: Expected summer 2026
📅 Shadow council elections: Expected May 2027
📅 New councils go live: Expected April 2028
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: 16 February 2026
Next planned update: Following the announcement of unitary decisions for Essex, East & West Sussex, Hampshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk.
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