Overview - Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Information about the proposed Government and Local Government reforms
Introduction
The English Devolution White Paper: Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth sets out the Government's plans to reform local government across England. It sets out proposals to increase and expand devolution, as well as plans to take forward Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in areas where there are two-tier local authorities, like Cambridgeshire.
On 16 December 2024, we received a letter from Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution. The letter sent to all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitary authorities sets out clear processes and milestones.
What is Devolution?
In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to local people, communities and businesses. Cambridgeshire benefits from an existing devolution deal through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA). Through the white paper the Government aims to establish devolution deals for all areas in England.
What is LGR?
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), is the process in which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured. The Government has set out plans to replace the current two-tier system of district and county councils in England with single-tiers of local government, known as unitary authorities.
At present, Cambridgeshire has a two-tier council system, with five district councils (Fenland District Council, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council), and Cambridgeshire County Council. It also has a separate unitary authority, Peterborough City Council.
Following LGR, local services in Cambridgeshire will be delivered by one or more unitary authorities.
Timeline
This is an outline of the timeline provided by the Government in the white paper. It includes proposed and confirmed dates. Dates become confirmed as we receive updates. Actions are relevant to Fenland District Council as a two-tier council.
| Type | Day/Month/Year | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed | 5 February 2025 | Statutory invitation received from Government to submit unitary proposals |
| Confirmed | 21 March 2025 | Submit interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal |
| Confirmed | 1 May 2025 | Cambridgeshire County Council Elections |
| Confirmed | 28 November 2025 | Submit full Local Government Reorganisation proposal |
| Proposed | April/May 2027 | Elections (Shadow authorities) |
| Proposed | April 2028 | Vesting day for new unitary councils |
Key updates
Formal invite received to submit initial Local Government Reorganisation proposal
On Wednesday 5 February we received our formal invitation to submit Local Government Reorganisation proposals. These proposals will bring together lower and upper tier local government services in new unitary councils. The letter, sent from Jim McMahon OBE, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, sets out the criteria against which proposals will be assessed and further guidance on what information the proposals should include.
It also confirms when we have to submit our proposals back to Government by. Interim proposals due, on, or before 21 March 2025 and full proposals by 28 November 2025. These are stated in the timeline above.
Councillors debate future of Local Government at Full Council meeting
At an Extraordinary Full Council meeting on 14 March 2025, councillors debated the Government's plans for reform and considered questions to help compose the required submission to Government by 21 March 2025.
- View the agenda and watch the meeting on our YouTube channel.
Interim Local Government Reorganisation response submitted
On 21 March 2025, the Leader of Fenland District Council, Cllr Chris Boden, wrote a letter to Government outlining Fenland District Council's position.
A separate letter, from the leaders of the other six councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council) was also submitted to Government on 21 March 2025.
- Read Cllr Boden's letter here: FDC LGR Letter - 21 March 2025 (PDF, 169 KB)
- Read the joint letter here: Joint LGR Letter - 21 March 2025
What is the council doing now?
The district council is working closely with council leaders from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, meeting regularly to develop a shared evidence base that can inform proposals.
Throughout the LGR process our focus will remain on delivering essential services across the whole of Fenland.
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