The English Devolution White Paper sets out a range of proposals relating to devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
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 Local Government Reorganisation (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 and to create unitary authorities. Peterborough City Council is affected by this, as the Government wants those unitary councils to serve a larger area than we currently serve. It is also relevant to Cambridgeshire County Council and the five district councils in the county.
Where can I find out more?
English Devolution White Paper. Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth
The English Devolution White Paper sets out the Government's agenda to increase and expand devolution across all parts of England. In addition, it also sets out proposals to take forward Local Government reorganisation particularly in areas where there are multiple tiers of local authorities, like Cambridgeshire.
Letter from Jim McMahon OBE. Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution
The letter to all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitary authorities, dated 16 December 2024 sets out clear process and milestones.
Local Government Association (LGA) Devolution Hub
Visit the LGA Devolution Hub to find further information and resources. This includes a list of regularly updated devolution and local government reorganisation FAQs. You can find updates on the current devolution framework and devolution deals agreed between Government and local areas.
Timeline
This is an outline of the timeline provided by the Government in the white paper. It includes proposed and confirmed dates. Dates become confirmed as we receive updates.
- Confirmed, 5 February 2025, statutory invitation received from Government to submit unitary proposals
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Confirmed, 21 March 2025, submit interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal
- 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
Interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal response submitted
On Friday 21 March 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.
Formal invite received to submit initial Local Government Reorganisation proposal
On Wednesday 5 February 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?
The city council is continuing to work closely and effectively with council leaders from across Cambridgeshire, meeting regularly to develop a shared evidence base that can inform proposals. We took this approach to submit our interim proposal response letter (see Key updates).