Local Government Reorganisation: Timelines and Where Areas Stand

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is moving ahead across England. In February 2025, the government wrote to 21 two-tier areas and some neighbouring unitary authorities inviting them to prepare proposals for new governance arrangements (Invitation Letter).

This is part of a wider push to simplify how councils operate, shifting from the current two-tier system towards unitary authorities that deliver all local services. It is also closely tied to the government’s Devolution Priority Programme (DPP), where closely aligned unitary councils are expected to align with strategic authorities. These changes are also directly linked to the government’s proposed reforms to the planning system. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill, introduced to Parliament in March 2025, sets out a mandatory framework for strategic planning through Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs). Under this framework, strategic planning authorities will be required for preparing an SDS for their area, ensuring that long-term spatial planning is coordinated with devolved powers and local priorities. 

Local Government Association also commented on their position responding to English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (2025) – ‘we want every council in England to have the ability to secure devolution that works for them, their local economies, and their residents. The devolution of powers and resources can play a huge role in promoting inclusive economic growth, creating jobs, and improving public services. In a very centralised country, moving funding and power from Whitehall to local leaders is needed.’

LGR is one of the most significant shake-ups of local government in decades. The LGR Process document explains how this process applies to the invitation issued to two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitary authorities to bring forward proposals for unitary local government. The process runs through four core stages:

• Invitation & Interim Proposals: Areas were invited to develop LGR proposals, with interim plans

• Final Proposals Submission:

  • 6 Devolution Priority Programme (DPP) regions: submission by 26 September 2025.

  • Other areas (except Surrey): submission by 28 November 2025

• Government Consultation & Decisions: Expected through 2026, with parliamentary approval and followed by secondary legislation

• Shadow Elections & Vesting Day:

  • Surrey: elections on 7 May 2026, vesting on 1 April 2027.

  • DPP regions & others: shadow elections in May 2027, authorities live from April 2028

To break it down into tentative timelines, this means:

• Surrey is moving first, with a decision expected in autumn 2025. Shadow elections are planned for May 2026, with new councils going live from April 2027.

• Six Devolution Priority Areas (Greater Essex, Norfolk & Suffolk, Hampshire & Solent, Cumbria, Cheshire & Warrington, and Sussex & Brighton) must submit proposals by 26 September 2025. Shadow elections will be held in May 2027, with new councils going live from April 2028.

• The remaining 14 areas have until 28 November 2025 to submit proposals and will follow the same overall timetable as the DPP areas, with new authorities in place from April 2028.

  
  

Some Region-Specific Progress Snapshot:

• Greater Essex: Councils are currently consulting on the “Goldilocks” unitary model—aimed at striking the right balance between efficiency and local identity. (https://www.southend.gov.uk/news/article/3390/goldilocks-just-right-option-proposed-for-five-councils-in-essex-protects-local-services-and-retains-unique-character)

• Norfolk & Suffolk: Final proposal work is underway in step with DPP timelines (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/norfolk-and-suffolk-devolution/norfolk-and-suffolk-devolution-consultation?utm_source=chatgpt.com#establishing-a-mayoral-combined-authority-across-norfolk-county-council-and-suffolk-county-council)

• Sussex & Brighton: Active governance discussions ahead of their September submission. Also invited to propose restructuring via unitary model as part of wider governance reform  (https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/news/2025/special-council-meeting-will-discuss-local-government-reorganisation)

  
  

This reform programme is the most significant overhaul of English local government since the 1970s reorganisation under the Local Government Act 1972. It is aimed to change how services are organised, how planning powers are exercised, and how communities are represented at the local level. For many areas, the changes are also heavily linked to devolution deals associated with strategic authorities, meaning new governance models potentially will come with greater responsibilities and funding across local government.

Further Reading:

• LGR: letter to areas invited to submit final proposals

• LGR: Proposal development contributions: area allocations

• Gov.uk – Local Government Reorganisation process and timetable

• Local Government Association – LGR hub and devolution updates

• Local Government Association- The devolution and LG reorganisation hub

• LGA topics - Devolution deals

• Cumbria devolution

• Cheshire and Warrington devolution

• Norfolk and Suffolk devolution

• Greater Essex devolution

• Hampshire and the Solent devolution

• Sussex and Brighton devolution

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This information is for general informative purposes only. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, DAC Planning accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from its use.