Overview - Local Government Reorganisation

• Introduction
• What is Devolution?
• What is Local Government Reorganisation?
• Timeline
• Key updates
• What is happening now?
• FAQs

Introduction

The English Devolution White Paper: Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth  sets out the Government's plans to reform local government across England. It sets out proposals to increase and expand devolution, as well as plans to take forward Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in areas where there are two-tier local authorities, like Cambridgeshire.

On 16 December 2024, we received a letter from Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution. The letter sent to all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitary authorities sets out clear processes and milestones.

What is Devolution?

In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to local people, communities and businesses. Cambridgeshire benefits from an existing devolution deal through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA). Through the white paper the Government aims to establish devolution deals for all areas in England.

What is Local Government Reorganisation?

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), is the process in which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured. The Government has set out plans to replace the current two-tier system of district, city and county councils in England with single-tiers of local government, known as unitary authorities.

At present, Cambridgeshire has a two-tier council system, with five district councils (Fenland District Council, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council), and Cambridgeshire County Council. It also has a separate unitary authority, Peterborough City Council.

Following LGR, local services in Cambridgeshire will be delivered by one or more unitary authorities. The current councils as they are will no longer exist.

Timeline

This is an outline of the timeline provided by the Government in the white paper. It includes proposed and confirmed dates. Dates become confirmed as we receive updates. Actions are relevant to Fenland District Council as a two-tier council.

Key updates

19 June 2025: Engagement survey launched

An engagement survey is launched, giving communities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough the opportunity to have their say on a once in a generation opportunity to shape the future of local government.

The survey is running from Thursday 19 June to Sunday 20 July. 

• Take part in the survey here: Have your say - Local Government Reorganisation

11 June 2025: Three options announced for council reorganisation plans

Council leaders announce they have identified three preferred options for creating new unitary councils across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

The options are based on existing authority boundaries and are being further developed to be submitted to Government by late November. 

The three options each contain new unitary councils that would in future cover the entire Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area and replace all existing local authorities.

• Find out more about the options here: Three options announced for council reorganisation plans

21 March 2025: Interim Local Government Reorganisation response submitted

On 21 March 2025, the Leader of Fenland District Council, Cllr Chris Boden, wrote a letter to Government outlining Fenland District Council's position.

A separate letter, from the leaders of the other six councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council) was also submitted to Government on 21 March 2025.

• Read Cllr Boden's letter here: FDC LGR Letter - 21 March 2025 (PDF, 169 KB)
• Read the joint letter here: Joint LGR Letter - 21 March 2025

14 March 2025: Councillors debate future of Local Government at Full Council meeting

At an Extraordinary Full Council meeting on 14 March 2025, councillors debated the Government's plans for reform and considered questions to help compose the required submission to Government by 21 March 2025.

• View the agenda and watch the meeting on our YouTube channel.

5 February 2025: Formal invite received to submit initial Local Government Reorganisation proposal

On Wednesday 5 February we received our formal invitation to submit Local Government Reorganisation proposals. These proposals will bring together lower and upper tier local government services in new unitary councils. The letter, sent from Jim McMahon OBE, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, sets out the criteria against which proposals will be assessed and further guidance on what information the proposals should include.

It also confirms when we have to submit our proposals back to Government by. Interim proposals due, on, or before 21 March 2025 and full proposals by 28 November 2025. These are stated in the timeline above.

What is happening now?

All seven councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are working closely together to discuss potential options for a new arrangement of councils. Ultimately, it will be for the Government to decide on any new local Council structures. But together, all local councils need to hear what local people think.

We are now at the stage where residents, businesses and other stakeholders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are being asked to share views on the future of local government.

Between Thursday 19 June to Sunday 20 July, you can submit your views as part of this engagement work.

Throughout the LGR process our focus will remain on delivering essential services across the whole of Fenland.