Local Reform Delay
Government Postpones Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Government Reform Decision Amid Criticism
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Key Points
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Seven Cambridgeshire and Peterborough councils would be merged into two or three new authorities, with shadow elections planned for next year as part of the reform.
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The delay also affects West Sussex; Secretary of State Steve Reed said more time is needed to decide for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and for West Sussex.
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Heather Williams, Conservative leader at South Cambridgeshire District Council, urged the government to admit mistakes and rethink the plan, arguing the delay is hindering progress and residents’ lives.
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Cambridgeshire County Council leader Lucy Nethsingha warned the delay risks prolonging uncertainty and complicating the transition, noting that national political turmoil may be affecting decision making.
The UK government has delayed its decision on local government reform for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, a move that was expected to be announced this week, according to Cambs Times. Seven councils were set to be merged into either two or three new authorities, with shadow elections planned for next year and a target completion date of April 2028.
Secretary of State Steve Reed confirmed the postponement, saying more time is needed. The delay also affects West Sussex, according to Sussex Express. Local leaders say the hold-up puts the 2028 deadline at serious risk.
What the Reform Was Supposed to Do
The plan aimed to replace two-tier councils with streamlined new bodies. Two-tier councils split power between county and district level. The new authorities would handle planning, social care, and other key services under one roof. The goal was simpler governance and lower costs, Cambs Times reported.
Under the proposal, seven councils across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough would have been folded into just two or three. Shadow elections — practice votes before the new councils officially take power — were planned for next year ahead of the April 2028 switchover.
Council Leaders Blast the Decision as Damaging
Cambridgeshire County Council leader Lucy Nethsingha warned the delay "prolongs uncertainty" and makes the transition harder to manage. She suggested national political turmoil may be affecting the government's decision-making, according to Wisbech Standard.
Heather Williams, the Conservative leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, went further. She urged the government to "admit mistakes" and rethink the entire approach. "The delay is hindering progress and residents' lives," she said, as reported by Ely Standard.
Peterborough MP Urges Caution Over a Rushed Fix
Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes struck a different tone. He said the focus must be on getting the best outcome for Peterborough. He warned against rushed or damaging decisions, even if that means accepting a short delay, according to Head Topics.
His comments reflect a wider tension in the debate. Some leaders want the government to move faster. Others fear that speed without care could lock in a bad structure for decades. The locally developed options, critics note, already met the government's own criteria for improving services and accountability.
West Sussex Also Left Waiting as Frustration Grows
The delay is not limited to Cambridgeshire. West Sussex is also caught in the same holding pattern, with Secretary of State Steve Reed citing the need for more time in both cases. Liberal Democrat MP for Horsham, John Milne, publicly slammed the government for the hold-up, according to Sussex Express.
One councillor was reported to be "disgusted" by the announcement, according to Wisbech Standard. With no new date set for a decision, local leaders say every week of delay makes hitting the April 2028 target less likely.
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