Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to council leaders
Letter from the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth setting out an update on local government reorganisation decision withdrawal and programme review
Applies to England
Documents
Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to council leaders
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Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough council leaders
PDF, 172 KB, 2 pages
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Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to Surrey leaders
PDF, 171 KB, 2 pages
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Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to West Sussex leaders
PDF, 172 KB, 2 pages
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Details
On 7 September 2026, the Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth wrote to local government reorganisation council leaders.
This letter announced the withdrawal of the current decisions for:
- Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock
- Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
- Norfolk
- Suffolk
It also announced a rapid review of the local government reorganisation programme. This includes decisions taken in July 2026 and the 2 outstanding areas awaiting decisions. This does not impact the decision taken in Surrey.
The Secretary of State also announced these measures in an oral statement to Parliament on 7 September 2026.
From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Jim McMahon OBE MP