The Government has invited 63 councils across England to set out their views on whether local elections scheduled for May 2026 should be postponed for a year, in order to free up capacity to deliver the most significant local government reforms in a generation.
Ministers say the move could help accelerate plans to streamline England’s local government structure by replacing wasteful two‑tier systems with single unitary authorities. These reforms are designed to speed up decision‑making, improve public services, and empower local communities—with new councils expected to be fully operational by April 2028.
Several councils currently undergoing reorganisation have told ministers that holding elections next year would divert substantial time, staffing and resources away from implementing the reforms. In many areas, newly elected councillors would serve only a short period before their councils are dissolved and replaced with new unitary authorities.
In total, 204 councils across 21 areas are undergoing reorganisation, with 63 scheduled to hold elections in May 2026. These 63 have now been asked for their formal views on a potential postponement.
Surrey, which is on a faster timetable, is expected to hold elections to its new councils in May 2026, so views have not been sought there.
The reforms aim to:
- Cut the number of councillors, creating clearer accountability.
- Bring key services such as housing, planning and roads under one authority.
- Speed up decisions on housebuilding and other local priorities.
- Provide better value for money, freeing up funding for frontline services such as libraries, youth provision and street cleaning.
A move to unitary authorities in the final 20 areas is expected to deliver more consistent services and stronger local leadership.
Councils have until 15 January to submit their representations. Ministers will then review the evidence and make a final decision early next year.
Alison McGovern, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, said:
“We have listened to councils who’ve told us of the challenges they face reorganising while preparing for resource-intensive elections for areas which may shortly be abolished.
“Several have submitted requests to postpone elections so it is therefore right we let them have their say so they can focus their time and energy on providing vital services while planning for reorganisation.
“Our goal is to create new councils who can improve services for residents and it is only right that we listen to councils.”
If the postponement goes ahead local elections in the affected areas would be delayed by one year, to May 2027, whilst elections to newly formed unitary councils would also take place at that time. Following that, new councils would be fully operational by April 2028.
The Government emphasises that the aim is to ensure the reorganisation programme delivers stable, effective and efficient local government, with as little disruption as possible for residents.
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