Government moves ahead with council reorganisation in five English areas
The government says it is minded to go ahead with local government reorganisation in five areas, including East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Final decisions wait for at least three weeks of further representations.
What does it mean?
Councils in five areas in England are set to be merged into fewer, larger local authorities, but the final decision has not been made yet. Councils in those areas will hold elections in May 2027 on their current boundaries, and the new councils are planned for 2029.
Who is affected?
Residents and councils in the five named areas, and in the other areas still under review.
What changes?
Reorganisation decisions for nine areas were paused in September and have now been withdrawn; those areas still have all options open.