Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is the Government’s programme to replace the current two-tier local authority areas, of county and district councils, with single tier unitary councils that are responsible for local government services in their areas during 2028.
At Full Council next week (21 October), county councillors will consider recommending Option A as a proposed response to the Government’s statutory invitation to participate in LGR. If approved, this option would be anticipated to be one of a number of options for the future shape of local government that will be submitted from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Option A proposes two new unitary councils across the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area. A northern unitary would cover geographic areas of Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and Peterborough City Council. A southern unitary would cover the geographic areas of Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.
Alongside Option A, two further options were supported by the 7 council leaders and chief executives to be developed locally. Option B, the development of which is being led by Cambridge City Council, would create a unitary covering East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough, and a second unitary covering Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire. Option C, being led by Huntingdonshire District Council, would create a unitary covering the geographic areas of East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council and Peterborough City Council, and a second unitary covering the geographic areas of Cambridge City Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. All of these options would see the county council’s services separated and split into the newly created councils.
Full details are in the agenda papers for Full Council on 21 October 2025 under Agenda Item Local Government Reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. You can find the report and its appendices including the Options Appraisal, Financial Analysis and Engagement Report on the council website here.
The meeting will be live streamed on our YouTube channel.
