UK Government pauses local government reorganisation

local government reorganisation unitary councils communities renewal taskforce council restructuring local regeneration

The UK Government has paused its local government reorganisation programme following updated legal advice suggesting that certain plans may not comply with the law. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has announced a comprehensive review of the programme, led by Jim McMahon, minister for local government, devolution and regional growth.

As part of this pause, the government has withdrawn decisions made in March regarding the creation of new unitary councils in Essex, Southend-on-Sea, Thurrock, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton, Norfolk, and Suffolk. The review will also consider decisions made in July concerning 34 new unitaries across 14 areas, including potential changes in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, West Sussex, and other regions.

Minister McMahon stated that the review aims to reduce the risk of ‘nugatory work’ should the government decide to change course. The new councils for East Surrey and West Surrey remain unaffected as they are already established in law.

Entities

Angela Rayner · Local Government Association · Louise Haigh · UK Government

Sources

Local government reorganisation paused due to 'legal issues' [www.highwaysmagazine.co.uk]

about 16 hours ago

LGA responds to announcement of communities renewal taskforce [newstartmag.co.uk]

about 5 hours ago