Residents, businesses and local organisations across 14 parts of England are being invited to share their views on sweeping plans to restructure local government, in what ministers describe as
the biggest overhaul in a generation.
From Blackpool to Plymouth, proposals have been published to replace the existing two-tier council system with streamlined unitary authorities, bringing key local services under one roof and cutting what the government says is unnecessary bureaucracy.
The plans follow 52 submissions from local leaders in areas including Devon, Derbyshire and Kent, outlining how council structures could be simplified to improve services and reduce duplication. The proposals were formally opened for public consultation on 5 February, giving communities a direct say in how their local authorities should be run in the future.
What’s changing — and why
Under the reforms, district and county councils would be merged into single unitary councils responsible for all local services. Ministers argue this will lead to faster decision-making, clearer accountability and better value for money.
The government says residents should see more efficient public services as a result, with savings reinvested into local priorities such as road repairs, public transport and frontline support.
Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern said: “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”.
How the reforms could affect local services
According to the government, reorganising local government will support communities by:
- Bringing housing, planning and transport decisions together, speeding up major developments such as housebuilding
- Simplifying access to services for families who currently deal with multiple councils for SEND support, housing and education
- Aligning housing, social care and planning, helping councils deliver homes better suited to people with disabilities and care leavers
- Reducing costs while improving quality, including more efficient waste and recycling services and stronger enforcement through joined-up Trading Standards and Licensing teams
Consultation now open
The public consultation across all 14 areas will run for seven weeks, closing on 25 March 2026. Feedback from residents, businesses and community groups will help inform the final decisions on how the new councils are structured.
Lessons from previous reorganisations
Ministers point to earlier local government reorganisations as evidence that the changes can deliver significant savings and improved efficiency. Previous reforms have resulted in:
- More than £40 million in savings expected in North Yorkshire by March 2026
- Over £75 million saved in Buckinghamshire since 2020 through streamlined systems and shared services
- £17 million saved in three years in North Northamptonshire by reducing senior management roles, consolidating contracts and modernising case management systems
In Surrey, plans are already under way to replace 11 district and borough councils and the county council with two new unitary authorities**, bringing all local services together and removing long-standing administrative boundaries.
The government says the wider programme of Local Government Reorganisation aims to deliver simpler, more efficient councils nationwide — cutting waste, reducing bureaucracy and ensuring public money is spent where it matters most.