An official decision on which business plan East Cambridgeshire District Council will back for Local Government Reorganisation will be made by councillors on Thursday 20 November.
Councillors will consider all five business plans currently in development, before deciding which one to endorse and submit to government. The council could decide to endorse any of the proposals.
To date, the council has been working on Option B - the North/ South option, which will see East Cambs choose to align with Huntingdonshire, Fenland and Peterborough in a single unitary authority.
While the council will consider Options A, B, C, D and E at its Full Council meeting on 20 November, it is currently of the opinion, as set out in the Council Motion on 18 September, Option B will help best protect what residents love and value in East Cambridgeshire, now and for future generations.
South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council are also contributing to the business case for this option.
The Option B business case sets out how residents benefit from the lowest Council Tax, when compared to other options, and the ambition to ensure services remain local and easy to access.
The business case sets out the vision to give local communities more power - and funding - to shape services and infrastructure, and also sets out how more money would be invested in health, transport and social care.
All of this is in response to a survey carried out among Cambridgeshire residents in which 81% of residents in East Cambridgeshire said they were concerned about local services being overlooked.
Crucially, it avoids East Cambridgeshire becoming an area to support housing growth for Greater Cambridge, as set out in the Option A supporting papers published on the county council’s website.
Cllr Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "Option B celebrates the close ties of our rural communities and paves the way for happier, healthier lifestyles.
“Importantly, it enables residents to benefit from the district's close proximity and partnership with Cambridge, without being overshadowed by it.
“We are aware the district is divided – with 52 per cent supporting Option B and 48% supporting Option A – but having read all of the available business plans and looked at how resources and finances will be distributed I am of the firm opinion Option B offers the best chance we have of celebrating all we love and care for in East Cambs.”
Residents can read the more about Option B and the Option B business case, along with other business case submissions on the council’s website.
Following the Full Council Meeting on 20 November, the council’s preferred business plan will be officially submitted to national government on 28 November.
Early in the new year the government will officially consult on all of the business cases that have been submitted before making a decision on the proposals in July 2026.
In May 2027 elections will be held to elect councillors to the new shadow authorities.
During this period, it will be business as usual at East Cambridgeshire, although behind the scenes it will be making preparations for these changes in time for the new unitary authorities which will go live on 1 April 2028.