LGR could cut 90% of councillors

England’s local democracy faces a dramatic contraction under proposed government reforms, with leading academics warning that up to 90% of councillors could be lost in what they describe as a “hollowing out” of local representation.

In a new report published by the think tank Localis, Professors Colin Copus and Steve Leach argue that the government’s push for local government reorganisation (LGR) could reduce the number of councillors in two-tier areas from approximately 12,000 to just 1,200. The projection is based on the creation of new unitary authorities serving populations of around 500,000.

The academics contend that the Devolution White Paper—intended to streamline governance and enhance local autonomy—lacks clarity and coherence. “This is not a virtue of reorganisation,” said Professor Copus. “It’s a dismantling of local self-government and a reduction in opportunities for citizens to engage with democratic processes.”

England already has one of the highest councillor-to-resident ratios in Europe. The proposed cuts would exacerbate this imbalance, placing “considerable strain” on the remaining councillors, who would be expected to absorb the workload of their eliminated peers.

“The job of the councillor is set to get much harder,” Copus added, citing limited resources and already high demands on elected members. “They risk becoming a residual rump of local democracy.”

Professor Leach echoed these concerns, warning that the reforms would render local government “less and less local.” He described the proposed unitary authorities as “meaningless conglomerates” that would erode community identity and accountability.

Jonathan Werran, chief executive of Localis, called for a final investigation into the rationale and potential impacts of LGR. Drawing on his experience with the District Councils’ Network, Werran criticised the “callous and insensitive” approach of dismantling an entire tier of governance during a period of national uncertainty.

The report raises fundamental questions about the future of local democracy in England. As the government advances its reorganisation agenda, critics argue that efficiency must not come at the cost of representation, accountability, and public trust.