The government has today (29 October) provided a further update on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), confirming that no decision has yet been made on the future structure of local government in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, Jim McMahon, announced that Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will now move into the final stages of the government’s review, with all proposals submitted for the area still under consideration.
This update follows a Ministerial decision on 7 September to pause and review the LGR programme for all two-tier areas of local government, other than in Surrey. The government has said it will make a final decision by early next year.
Cllr Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, says the lack of detail prolongs uncertainty and creates further frustration for residents, businesses, organisations and council staff across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Councillor Anna Bailey said: “It is deeply disappointing that, after months of disruption and uncertainty, the government still has not confirmed a clear route for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
“Residents, businesses, organisations and council staff deserve clarity. Instead, they are being asked to wait again while fundamental decisions about local services, representation and accountability remain unresolved.
“In East Cambs our focus remains firmly on delivering the high-quality services that our residents rely on every day, and they can be assured that we will continue to deliver those services uninterrupted.
“We will also continue to work closely with our colleagues in all seven councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough affected by this decision to ensure that any future transition is as smooth as possible.”
The council underlined its objection to LGR in a recent motion approved by Full Council. The motion described the process as rushed and poorly managed and said there was little evidence that larger authorities automatically deliver better services, lower costs or stronger accountability.
It reaffirmed the council’s opposition to the abolition of East Cambridgeshire District Council and its view that residents are best served by strong local councils that understand their communities. Cllr Bailey said East Cambridgeshire had demonstrated that a small, financially disciplined council could deliver high-quality services, innovate and keep decisions close to local people.
The government has confirmed that scheduled local elections in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will go ahead in May 2027, this includes the district elections for East Cambridgeshire District Council.
Looking further ahead, the government is targeting May 2028 for elections to shadow unitary councils and 1 April 2029 for new councils to come into existence. The precise timetable for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will, however, depend on the government’s decision on the future structure of local government in our area being made by early next year as expected.
The government has also confirmed £500,000 of funding for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to support the process, with any additional funding dependent on future decisions.
The Government had previously announced all areas would receive £900,000 of transitional funding for each new Unitary Authority so further clarification is needed on the detail of the £500,000 announced today and how that will apply to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough against the previous commitments.
The seven councils across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will now review the announcement and consider its implications. There are no immediate changes to services, and residents can be assured that councils will continue to work together to prepare for any future decisions.
Further information on LGR in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough being considered by government can be found on our website: Local Government Reorganisation.