Plans to axe all Essex councils withdrawn by government

Decisions on flagship local government reorganisation have been withdrawn as the government launches a review of the plans following new legal advice.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said the review is to ensure the process is robust and aligns with the new government’s aim to “rewire the state”, and follows “updated and privileged legal advice”.

At least eight councils have launched legal challenges or were considering to do so due to opposition to the government’s choice of footprints for new councils.

The decision comes following new legal advice (Image: NQ)

Reform UK-led Kent County Council is set to consider a judicial review at a meeting on Tuesday after it did not receive a response from the government to a letter setting out concerns.

Plans for reorganisation in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk have been withdrawn in the light of new legal advice.

Decisions on 14 further areas will be reviewed and paused alongside the cases of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex, which are yet to have a decision confirmed.

The government will also confirm that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries, saying it remains committed to effective and sustainable local government and simplifying these structures.

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner is expected to tell parliament on Monday: “As we are now more determined than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as a new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain, without delay.

“The Prime Minister told the House last week he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’ and he asked me as his Communities Secretary to ‘do that’.

“In that context, in light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law.

“And, secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new Prime Minister, and any additional considerations.

“I do not take this lightly. I recognise the huge amount of work that has already gone into progressing reorganisation in each of these areas and I am very grateful for it.”

MHCLG said reorganisation in Surrey will not be affected by the review and the two new unitary authorities, East and West Surrey, will go live in April 2027.