Have your say
Big changes are coming to councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and we want to find out what is important to you. Find out more and take part in the survey. The survey runs from Wednesday 3 September to midnight on Friday 3 October 2025.
Introduction
The English Devolution White Paper: Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth (opens as pdf) sets out the Government's agenda to increase and expand devolution across all parts of England. In addition, it sets out proposals to take forward Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in areas where there are two-tier local authorities, like Cambridgeshire.
On 16 December 2024, we received a letter from Jim McMahon, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution. The letter sent to all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitary authorities (opens as pdf) sets out clear process and milestones.
What is Devolution?
In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to local people, communities, and businesses. Cambridgeshire benefits from an existing devolution deal through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA). Through the white paper the Government aims to establish devolution deals for all areas in England.
What is LGR?
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), is the process in which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured. The Government has set out plans to move away from the current two-tier system of district and county councils in England. This is relevant to Cambridgeshire County Council and the five district councils in the county (Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council).
Local services in Cambridgeshire will be delivered by one or many unitary authorities - a single tier of local government.
Timeline
This is an outline of the timeline provided by the Government. It includes proposed and confirmed dates. Dates become confirmed as we receive updates. Actions are relevant to Cambridgeshire County Council as a two-tier council.
Key dates for the council's engagement activities are also listed.
Read a summary of the local government reorganisation process (opens as pdf).
| Type | Day/Month/Year | Action |
| Confirmed | 5 February 2025 | Statutory invitation received from Government to submit unitary proposals |
| Confirmed | 21 March 2025 | Submit interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal |
| Confirmed | 1 May 2025 | Cambridgeshire County Council elections |
| Confirmed | 19 June 2025 | Launch of phase one LGR engagement survey |
| Confirmed | 20 July 2025 | LGR phase one engagement survey closes |
| Confirmed | 3 September 2025 | Launch of phase two LGR engagement survey |
| Confirmed | 3 October 2025 | LGR phase two engagement survey closes |
| Confirmed | 28 November 2025 | Submit full Local Government Reorganisation proposal |
| Proposed | April/May 2027 | Elections (shadow authorities) |
| Proposed | April 2028 | Vesting day for new unitary councils |
Key updates
Local Government Reorganisation phase two engagement survey launches
On Wednesday 3 September 2025, our phase two survey launched. Open to residents, businesses and other stakeholders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to have their say in shaping the future of local government. The survey runs from Wednesday 3 September to midnight on Friday 3 October 2025.
To find out more visit Your Future Councils (yourvoice.cambridgeshire.gov.uk)
Unitary authority proposal supporting information and guidance received from Government
On Thursday 24 July 2025, our Chief Executive, Stephen Moir, received a letter from Jim McMahon OBE, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution. The letter provided additional information to help leaders develop their unitary authority proposals. Click to view a copy of the letter (opens as pdf).
Included was a summary of the local government reorganisation process (opens as pdf) covering the process once final proposals have been submitted and the expected timeline. Following feedback from areas and stakeholders to the Government about joint working, we received further information in the document Local Government Reorganisation: Considerations for partnership working in social care for new unitary authorities (opens as pdf).
Also shared was financial decisions before local government reorganisation (opens as pdf), an explanatory note. Stating essential decisions regarding ongoing service delivery and the medium-term financial strategy do not compromise the future sustainability of new councils.
Local Government Reorganisation phase one engagement survey launches
On Thursday 19 June 2025, our phase one LGR engagement survey launched to attract feedback on council reorganisation. The survey closed on Sunday 20 July 2025.
Interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal response submitted
On Friday 21 March 2025, Council leaders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough sent a letter to the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, setting out progress on plans to move towards a new system of local government. Click to view a copy of our response letter (opens as pdf).
Councillors debate future of Local Government at Full Council meeting
At our Full County Council meeting on Tuesday 18 March 2025, Councillors debated the future structure of local government in Cambridgeshire, focusing on how best to deliver efficient, high-quality services for residents.
Councillors received a progress report from our Chief Executive, Stephen Moir. This report provides an overview of the progress made to date. View the LGR report on pages 28-53 in the agenda pack (opens as pdf).
Formal invite received to submit initial Local Government Reorganisation proposal
On Wednesday 5 February 2025 we received our formal invitation to submit Local Government Reorganisation proposals. These proposals will bring together lower and upper tier local government services in new unitary councils. The letter sent from Jim McMahon OBE, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution sets out the criteria against which proposals will be assessed and further guidance on what information the proposals should include.
It also confirms when we have to submit our proposals back to Government by. Interim proposals due, on, or before 21 March 2025 and full proposals by 28 November 2025. These are stated in the timeline above.
What is the council doing now?
In response to the Government's plans to change the current structure of local authorities, we have been working with council leaders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to develop three preferred options, A, B and C.
We want to find out what is important to you. Our phase two engagement survey is now open, and we welcome your thoughts and feedback.
To find out more and have your say visit Your Future Councils (yourvoice.cambridgeshire.gov.uk)
Throughout the LGR process our focus will remain on delivering essential services across the whole of Cambridgeshire.
FAQ, news, and resources
Our LGR FAQ, news, and resources webpage aims to provide answers to frequently asked questions, links to our related news articles, documents and additional resources in one place.
