The government has withdrawn proposals to merge councils in Staffordshire, and paused similar plans for 17 other areas of England, including several across the Midlands and surrounding regions.
What's changing?
Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner told MPs the pause was needed to ensure the process was legally sound and in line with the priorities of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Local elections in May 2027 will go ahead as normal, on existing council boundaries.
Why has this happened?
The government was already facing legal challenges. LoveGnosall understands that Reform-led councils in Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk, along with Conservative-led Hampshire, launched judicial reviews against the proposals in June. Those challenges are widely credited with forcing the government's hand.
Amongst others, the areas now under review include:
- Staffordshire, Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire
Decisions on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and West Sussex, had not yet been taken and will also be considered as part of the wider review.
What was the plan?
Originally announced in late 2024, the proposals aimed to replace the current two-tier system, where county and district councils share responsibility for local services, with single "unitary" authorities covering both. The government argued this would simplify the system and save money. Critics said it would cost more, drain resources from frontline services, and leave councils less connected to local communities.
What are people saying?
Rayner acknowledged the announcement was "disappointing" but said the government remained committed to devolving power closer to communities. Opposition parties called it a "humiliation" and an "embarrassing climbdown". The Local Government Association said there was "no excuse for the government's mishandling" of the process, noting that councils had already spent significant time and public money on the plans.
