Communities across more than a dozen areas in England are being invited to have their say on proposals to reorganise local government, streamline services and improve outcomes for residents.
Ministers have received 52 submissions from local leaders in 14 areas, including Devon, Derbyshire and Kent, setting out plans to simplify council structures, reduce duplication and end the current two‑tier system of local government.
The proposals have been published for public consultation, giving residents, businesses and organisations the opportunity to shape reforms that could transform how local services are delivered.
The reorganisation plans aim to replace the existing two‑tier system of county and district councils with stronger unitary authorities responsible for all local services in their area.
The government says that this will reduce bureaucracy and duplication, improve accountability, deliver better value for money, and free up resources for local priorities. Residents are expected to benefit from more efficient public services, with savings reinvested into areas such as fixing potholes, improving bus services and supporting local communities.
The proposals highlight how reorganisation can support the transformation of local areas by:
- Bringing housing, planning and transport decisions under one roof, speeding up processes such as housebuilding
- Simplifying access to services, so families needing SEND support, housing or education deal with a single council
- Integrating housing, social care and planning, ensuring homes better meet residents’ needs, including those with disabilities and care leavers
- Reducing costs while improving quality, for example by combining waste services to boost recycling or joining up Trading Standards and Licensing to protect young people
The public consultation across the 14 areas will run for seven weeks, closing on 25 March 2026.
The government says feedback will help shape final decisions and ensure reforms reflect local priorities and circumstances. The government points to previous local government reorganisations as evidence of the benefits of reform, including:
- Over £40 million in savings expected in North Yorkshire by March 2026
- More than £75 million saved in Buckinghamshire since 2020, alongside system and IT harmonisation
- Over £17 million saved in three years in North Northamptonshire through reduced senior management costs and service transformation
In Surrey, plans are already underway to replace 11 district and borough councils and one county council with two new unitary authorities, bringing all services together and removing bureaucratic boundaries.
Alison McGovern, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, commented:
“Unitary councils provide clarity for residents and are more effective.
“That’s why we’re carrying out the biggest change to local government in a generation, and I would encourage local people and businesses to share their views in shaping the future of their area.”
The government says the reforms are designed to strengthen local leadership, improve service delivery and ensure councils are better equipped to meet the needs of residents in the years ahead.
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