On Monday 7 September 2026, the government announced a review of Local Government Reorganisation. As a result, the decision on proposals for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has been paused while the review is carried out.
The government also confirmed that local elections will take place in May 2027 on existing council boundaries, this will include district elections for East Cambridgeshire District Council.
You can read the latest announcement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Further details, including the timeline for the review, are still being confirmed. We will update this page as more information becomes available.
Our area is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the Government’s national programme to simplify how councils are structured in England.
It means from April 2028, the seven current county, district, city and unitary councils in our area will be replaced by two or three new ‘unitary councils’ responsible for providing all the council services you access.
Government decision on Local Government Reorganisation
The Government announced on Thursday 16 July 2026 that a decision on the reorganisation of local councils across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has been delayed until the autumn. We will update this page when an announcement is made.
What happens next
All seven councils across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are working collaboratively to prepare for the launch of the new unitary councils on 1 April 2028.
- Government decision announcement in Autumn
- In May 2027 elections will be held to elect councillors to the new shadow councils. The new councils will then take on full responsibility for delivering all services from April 2028.
- 1 April 2028 is vesting day. This is the day when the new unitary councils will begin to officially operate.
Local Government Reorganisation YouTube video
Why Local Government Reorganisation is taking place
In December 2024, the national Government set out plans to move towards a new system of local government, abolishing all ‘two-tier’ areas in England. That means that the below councils in Cambridgeshire will be replaced by a number of unitary authorities:
- Cambridge City Council
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Fenland District Council
- Huntingdonshire District Council
- Peterborough City Council
- South Cambridgeshire District Council
We have tried to answer the most common queries about local government reorganisation and have compiled some frequently asked questions.
When the change is made from April 2028, rather than dealing with separate county, city, and district authorities, residents will access all services - from road maintenance and bin collections to education, planning, social housing, social care, and support with benefits - through a unitary council.
Where areas have parish and town councils, these will not be affected and will continue to operate as they do now.
Why Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire District and South Cambridgeshire District councils believe option B is best
We have created a presentation of option B - our preferred option
A summary of the benefits are:
- financial security: Independent analysis shows option B is the most financially sustainable option of the proposals developed by local councils. It would save up to £43 million a year, more than three times the saving of other options developed locally, paying back the cost of change in just four years. Future savings will be reinvested in frontline services, as residents have called for
- fairness for all: Option B creates two councils that are the right size to thrive, but local enough to care, and can meet local needs, for both urban and rural communities. It avoids the risk of one area being left behind and ensures resources are shared fairly
- respect for local identity: The new councils will reflect historic communities and keep decision-making close to residents
- supports growth and jobs: Each council will focus on its strengths. Greater Cambridge has a world-leading science and tech economy and is a geography that directly aligns with the Government’s ambitions for the area, whilst North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is an industrial and agricultural powerhouse – creating more jobs and homes for its market towns and cities
- future-proofed: Option B meets government’s tests for financial resilience, economic balance, and sustainable public services better than any other option
- residents agree: In Council surveys carried out for Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire, the majority of respondents supported option B because it offers the best chance of delivering simpler, stronger councils that care about local communities
- better services: Residents said they want councils that are easier to contact, more responsive, and focused on frontline services. Option B delivers that
- simpler, stronger councils: One council for your area means less confusion and quicker decisions. But Option B ensures councils that are the right size to thrive, local enough to care for all
Alternative options
Four options for local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were submitted by local councils. These are being consulted upon by Central Government. Find out more about all options put forward and local engagement.