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Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) & Devolution Hub

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LGR & Devolution

Local Government Reorganisation

Local government reorganisation (LGR) is the process of restructuring council setups in England, primarily replacing the “two-tier” system of county and district councils with single, “unitary” authorities. The aim is to simplify services, reduce bureaucratic duplication, and improve efficiency by bringing all local services under one roof, with new structures expected by 2028.

Devolution

Local devolution is the transfer of power, funding, and decision-making authority from national (central) government to local or regional authorities. It aims to empower local leaders, ensuring policies on issues like transport, housing, and economic development are made closer to the communities, businesses, and people they affect.

 

Timeline

16 December 2024
English Devolution White Paper

The English Devolution White Paper was published. This set out the government’s vision for simpler local government structures.

The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution wrote to all councils in remaining two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitaries to set out plans for a joint programme of devolution and local government reorganisation.

5 February 2025
Statutory Invitations

​The Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution issued a statutory invitation to all councils in two-tier areas and neighbouring small unitary councils to develop proposals for unitary local government as well as updating on decisions on requests to postpone local elections. 

​Councils were asked to produce interim plans and submit these to government by 21 March 2025.

24 March 2025
Written Ministerial Statement

A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament. This set out how the Proposal Development Contributions would be allocated, the amount that each area would receive, and the method for receiving that payment.

The statement also confirmed that each area has now received feedback on their interim plans and that a summary of that feedback has been published.  

17 June 2025
Ministerial Statement - Consultations

A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament about the statutory consultation on proposals for unitary local government in Surrey.

The statement also confirmed that each area has now received feedback on their interim plans and that a summary of that feedback has been published.  

26 September 2025
Final proposals - Some Councils

Final proposals for local government reorganisation in their area were submitted by councils in:

  • East Sussex and Brighton
  • Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock
  • Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
  • Norfolk
  • Suffolk
  • West Sussex
28 October 2025
Ministerial Statement - Surrey

​A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament about the statutory consultations on proposals for unitary local government made by councils in 6 areas.

Consultations were published for:

The Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness also wrote to leaders of all councils engaged with local government reorganisation proposals about the importance of the Publicity Code.

28 November 2025
Final Proposals

Final proposals for local government reorganisation across 14 areas were submitted by councils in:

  • Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
  • Derbyshire and Derby  
  • Devon, Plymouth and Torbay 
  • Gloucestershire 
  • Hertfordshire 
  • Kent and Medway 
  • Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen 
  • Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland 
  • Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and Northeast Lincolnshire 
  • Nottinghamshire and Nottingham 
  • Oxfordshire 
  • Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent 
  • Warwickshire 
  • Worcestershire
5 February 2026
Written Ministerial Statement

A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament about the statutory consultations on proposals for unitary local government made by councils in 14 areas.

Consultations were published for:

16 February 2026
SoS letters to council leaders

The Secretary of State wrote to council leaders in local government reorganisation areas about the proposed postponement of local elections in May 2026.

11 March 2026
Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026

The Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness signed the Surrey (Structural Changes) Order 2026 implementing the decision of the Secretary of State to abolish the existing district and county councils in Surrey and create 2 new councils, East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council, from 1 April 2027.

25 March 2026
Written Ministerial Statement

A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament, outlining the decision to implement:

  • 5 unitary councils in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock
  • 5 unitary councils (known locally as option 1A) in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
  • 3 unitary councils in Norfolk
  • 3 unitary councils in Suffolk

The written ministerial statement also provided an update on local government reorganisation in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, and West Sussex.

 

Licensing

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill is a restructuring of local government in England, which aims to create a default framework for devolution, including new powers over areas including licensing.

Clause 50: Licensing functions of the Mayor of London

Introduces a new schedule in the Bill (Schedule 24) that amends the Licensing Act 2003 to give the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority (GLA) specific functions relating to licensing in Greater London.

Chapter 3: Licensing of taxis and private hire vehicles

Establishes a national framework for taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) licensing in England by empowering the Secretary of State to set binding national minimum standards that local licensing authorities must apply when granting, renewing, suspending, or revoking licences. It aims to promote consistency, safety, and passenger protection across different areas while retaining local authorities’ role in administering and enforcing the licensing regime.

Schedule 5: Providers of Micromobility Vehicles

Establishes a licensing system for micromobility operators, requiring providers of e‑scooters and similar vehicles to hold and comply with a licence in designated areas, with enforcement powers and penalties for breaches. Paragraph 22M defines key terms and confirms that the “licensing authority” is the relevant local transport authority (or another authority named in regulations), identifying the body responsible for issuing and overseeing licences.

After Clause 72: Gambling impact assessments

To give local authorities new statutory powers to introduce gambling impact assessments for their areas. This is the most significant step so far toward delivering a commitment first set out in the Gambling Act Review and later reaffirmed in the Government’s Pride in Place strategy, where ministers pledged to strengthen local control over the concentration of gambling premises.

Amendment 139: Licensing Act 2003 to confer powers on the GLA and the Mayor of London

Granting the Mayor of London new powers to intervene in licence applications judged to have “potential strategic importance” to the capital.

After Clause 68: Immedaite Suspensions for out of area licences

Would give councils across England new powers to immediately suspend taxi and private hire licences issued by other authorities, in a move aimed at strengthening public safety.

The Bill reinforces a shift toward place‑based, strategic governance designed to strengthen community empowerment while aligning with wider public‑sector reforms, including the NHS 10‑Year Plan, the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners, police reform, and the broader prevention agenda. By allocating new powers and responsibilities to both new and existing Strategic Authorities, it signals a significant reconfiguration of local accountability and service delivery.

For licensing professionals—particularly those operating within local authorities—the implications are substantial. Centralising powers and redrawing regional responsibilities will reshape day‑to‑day practice, alter decision‑making pathways, and redefine professional boundaries. Although the reforms create opportunities to modernise and elevate licensing functions within newly structured local government systems, they also carry real risks. Communities could be adversely affected if the profession’s expertise, statutory role, and public‑protection contributions are not fully recognised, protected, and embedded within the new governance landscape.

Track the Bill's Progress

IoL Legislation Tracker: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill

 

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