The government will review local government reorganisation decisions after getting updated legal advice.
Communities secretary Angela Rayner is due to make an announcement today in Parliament following “updated and privileged” legal advice.
Decisions on Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk have been withdrawn and the other 14 areas are being paused and reviewed.
Decisions for 20 two-tier areas were made in two waves earlier this year. The government has not made decisions in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex.
Ms Rayner is expected to say: “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.”
Several councils had launched legal challenges. Essex CC revealed in June that the letter from the Government Legal Department showed ministers and gone against officials’ advice.
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.