Our comprehensive guide on local government reform, unpacks the transformative changes outlined in the Labour Government’s English Devolution White Paper, and provides actionable insights for councils and stakeholders navigating this ambitious reform agenda.
The Devolution White Paper sets out a bold vision to transfer power from Westminster to local communities, replacing two-tier local government structures with larger unitary authorities and establishing Strategic Authorities (either mayoral or non-mayoral) to drive regional growth and public service reform. A key pillar of this reform is the creation of unitary councils, typically serving populations of 500,000 or more, though exceptions may apply to align with devolution goals. The Government aims for universal coverage of Strategic Authorities across England by the end of this Parliament, with enhanced powers over transport, housing, skills, and health.
On 6 February 2025, the Government issued a statutory invitation to all councils in two-tier areas and small neighbouring unitary authorities to submit proposals for unitary local government. By 21 March 2025, all 21 invited areas submitted interim plans, marking a critical milestone. These plans outline initial proposals for unitary structures, with councils collaborating to align with criteria such as efficiency, service quality, and community engagement. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is now reviewing these submissions, engaging with councils to provide feedback and refine proposals.
The next stage requires councils to submit full unitary proposals by 28 November 2025, with Devolution Priority Programme areas, such as Surrey, working to a faster timeline of 26 September 2025. MHCLG will assess these against criteria including financial sustainability and support for devolution arrangements. Shadow elections for new unitary councils are planned for May 2026 in some areas, with councils potentially operational by 2028. To facilitate this, local elections in nine council areas, including Surrey, were postponed from May 2025 to May 2026, ensuring alignment with reorganisation timelines.
Our local government reform guide equips local authorities with strategic advice on crafting robust proposals, managing stakeholder engagement, and addressing legal and financial complexities.
