Local Government Reorganisation

The Government will soon be consulting on options for how local government will be structured. You can provide your views by taking part in the consultation. We will provide a link on this page once the consultation goes live.

The Government will make the final decision on which option is selected, and it is expected they will announce the outcome in the summer.

Along with Cambridge City Council and East Cambridgeshire District councils, we have backed the creation of a new unitary Council for Greater Cambridge and another for North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – known as Option B. We sent a detailed proposal [PDF, 23MB] to Government and it is an option they will soon be consulting upon.

The Leaders of Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council explain why their Councils think Option B is the best for the whole region.

Why is this happening?

In December 2024, the national Government set out plans to move towards a new system of local government, abolishing all ‘two-tier’ areas in England. That means that the below councils in Cambridgeshire will be replaced by a number of unitary authorities:

Cambridge City Council
Cambridgeshire County Council
East Cambridgeshire District Council
Fenland District Council
Huntingdonshire District Council
Peterborough City Council
South Cambridgeshire District Council

We have tried to answer the most common queries about local government reorganisation and have compiled some frequently asked questions.

When the change is made 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.

A new unitary council for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire

Along with Cambridge City Council and East Cambridgeshire District Council, we have backed the creation of a new unitary Council for Greater Cambridge and another for North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – with local leaders saying they offer financial security, deliver £43 million savings a year and respect local identities.

North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – serving around 612,000 people in East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough.
Greater Cambridge – serving around 322,000 people in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.

The detailed proposal making the case for these two new unitaries [PDF, 23MB] was produced through close working between Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, as well as other councils in Cambridgeshire.

This detailed proposal is supported by several appendices:

A map showing Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The bottom section shows South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge shaded purple. The top section shows East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire, Fenland and Peterborough shaded green.

Why Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire District and South Cambridgeshire District councils believe option B is best

A summary of the benefits are:

Financial security: Independent analysis shows option B is the most financially sustainable option of the proposals developed by local councils. It would save £43 million a year, more than three times the saving of other options developed locally, paying back the cost of change in just four years. Future savings will be reinvested in frontline services, as residents have called for.
Fairness for all: Option B creates two councils that are the right size to thrive, but local enough to care, and can meet local needs, for both urban and rural communities. It avoids the risk of one area being left behind and ensures resources are shared fairly.
Respect for local identity: The new councils will reflect historic communities and keep decision-making close to residents.
Supports growth and jobs: Each council will focus on its strengths. Greater Cambridge has a world-leading science and tech economy and is a geography that directly aligns with the Government’s ambitions for the area, whilst North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is an industrial and agricultural powerhouse – creating more jobs and homes for its market towns and cities.
Future-proofed: Option B meets government’s tests for financial resilience, economic balance, and sustainable public services better than any other option.
Residents agree: In Council surveys carried out for Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire and South Cambridgeshire, the majority of respondents supported option B because it offers the best chance of delivering simpler, stronger councils that care about local communities.
Better services: Residents said they want councils that are easier to contact, more responsive, and focused on frontline services. Option B delivers that.
Simpler, stronger councils: One council for your area means less confusion and quicker decisions. But Option B ensures councils that are the right size to thrive, local enough to care for all.

Alternative options

Four options for local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were submitted by local councils. These will be consulted upon by Central Government. Find out more about all options put forward and local engagement.