In February 2025, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon MP, wrote to council leaders across 21 two-tier areas to invite them to develop a proposal for Local Government Reorganisation. The Local Government Association (LGA) has collated all responses on their Local Government Reorganisation Hub.
The government has published a summary of the feedback.
The Department identified several common challenges in developing final proposals for reorganisation, including:
- Funding reform: Areas have expressed concern about the funding available to implement reorganisation and the implications of forthcoming reforms to local government finance.
- Local public service reform: Areas are considering how to maintain vital local services while also considering the opportunities presented by Local Government Reorganisation.
- Strong community voice: Feedback shows the need to facilitate better and sustained community engagement.
- Pathway to devolution: Areas questioned how new local government structures could support devolution ambitions.
Each of the 21 areas will receive a flat rate of £135,000 for reorganisation, plus an additional 20p per person based on the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS) population estimates.
In a written statement made by the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Jim McMahon MP, he said: “I am aware that developing proposals could distract councils from their essential day-to-day activities. However, residents and businesses depend on councils to provide vital services and continue the work necessary for creating successful new unitary councils. Together, we can ensure that our reorganisation efforts are successful and deliver the high-quality public services our residents deserve.”
