Residents, businesses and other stakeholders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are being asked for their views on the future of local government.
It follows an announcement by the Government in December 2024, setting out plans to move towards a new system of local government. This would remove the current two-tier structure of district and city councils and county councils. Existing unitary authorities such as Peterborough are also included.
From April 2028, rather than dealing with separate county, city, and district authorities, residents will access all services - from road maintenance and bin collections to education, planning, social housing, social care, and support with benefits - through a unitary council.
Where areas have parish and town councils, these will not be affected and will continue to operate as they do now.
All seven of the councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have therefore been working together to discuss potential options for a new arrangement of councils. At this stage, no decisions have been made on what these new arrangements could look like.
Three options for reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were shared publicly in June 2025.
The survey does not ask people for their views on the three options. The aim of the survey is to provide key information and gather public feedback before proposals are developed and submitted to the Government in November. There will then be further consultation before the Government ultimately makes a final decision.
About devolution
In England, devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national to local government. It ensures that decisions are made closer to local people, communities and businesses.
Cambridgeshire has an existing devolution deal through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA).
Through the English Devolution White Paper (opens PDF), the Government aims to establish devolution deals for all areas of England. It sets out a range of proposals relating to devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR).
About 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 – Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and South Cambridgeshire.
Key updates
Other upcoming dates:
- Engagement survey running from 19 June to 20 July 2025
- 28 November 2025 deadline to submit full local government reorganisation proposal
- April / May 2027 - proposed date for elections for shadow authorities
- April 2028 - proposed vesting day for new unitary councils
Further reading
- The English Devolution White Paper (opens PDF)
- Letter from Jim McMahon OBE, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution (opens PDF)
- Local Government Association (LGA) Devolution Hub
The LGA Devolution Hub has further information and resources. This includes a list of regularly updated devolution and local government reorganisation frequently asked questions. You can find updates on the current devolution framework and devolution deals agreed between Government and local areas.