The government confirmed that it has received 52 submissions from local leaders covering areas including Devon, Derbyshire and Kent…reports Asian Lite News
Communities across England have been invited to give their views on proposals to reorganise local government in 14 areas, as ministers push ahead with plans to replace two-tier systems with unitary councils
Communities have been invited to take part in consultations on proposals to reorganise local government across 14 areas of England, as ministers advance plans to replace existing two-tier council systems with unitary authorities.
The government confirmed that it has received 52 submissions from local leaders covering areas including Devon, Derbyshire and Kent. The proposals have now been published for consultation, giving residents, organisations and businesses the opportunity to comment on the potential changes.
Ministers say the reorganisation aims to simplify local government structures by reducing duplication and cutting bureaucracy. Under the plans, county councils and district or borough councils would be replaced by single unitary authorities responsible for delivering all local services in their area.
The government argues that the changes would lead to more efficient public services and free up money for local priorities, such as road maintenance and public transport. It says residents would benefit from clearer accountability and easier access to services.
Alison McGovern, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, said unitary councils provide greater clarity for residents and are more effective. She said the proposals represented the biggest change to local government in a generation and encouraged local people and businesses to share their views during the consultation process.
According to the government, local government reorganisation would support the transformation of public services by bringing key decisions on housing, planning and transport under one authority, with the aim of speeding up decision-making in areas such as housebuilding. It would also mean that families who rely on multiple services, including special educational needs and disabilities support, social housing and education, would deal with a single council rather than several different bodies.
The proposals also seek to bring together housing, children’s services, adult social care and planning within one authority, with the intention of ensuring that homes and services better meet residents’ needs, including those of people with disabilities and care leavers. Ministers say combining services could reduce costs while improving quality, citing examples such as integrating waste collection and disposal to increase recycling, or closer working between trading standards and licensing teams to tackle illegal sales to young people.
The consultation across the 14 areas will run for seven weeks, closing on 25 March 2026. Feedback gathered during this period will be considered before any final decisions are taken.
Local government reorganisation has already taken place in several parts of England. The government points to Surrey, where plans are in place for two new unitary authorities to replace 11 district and borough councils and one county council, bringing services under a single structure.
Ministers also highlight savings delivered by previous reorganisations. In North Yorkshire, savings of more than £40 million are expected by March 2026. In Buckinghamshire, more than £75 million has been saved since 2020, alongside work to harmonise systems and processes, including property and IT. In North Northamptonshire, savings of more than £17 million have been reported over three years following changes that reduced senior management posts, rationalised contracts and introduced new case management systems.
The government says the current round of consultations is part of an ongoing process to create simpler, more efficient local authorities and reduce spending on bureaucracy.
