Correspondence

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. ​

• From: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Jim McMahon OBE MP
• Published: 7 September 2026

Applies to England

Documents

Local government reorganisation: programme review and decisions withdrawal letter to council leaders

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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.

Published 7 September 2026