Council Cases

Surrey has an accelerated timetable and confirmed restructuring into East Surrey and West Surrey unitary authorities. Shadow elections expected May 2026, go-live May 2027.

Surrey represents a significant LGR case study with its fast-tracked timetable and creation of two unitary authorities. The reorganisation involves merging Surrey County Council with 11 district and borough councils.

Cambridgeshire County Council with Peterborough as a unitary authority. A combined authority (Cambridgeshire and Peterborough) covers the area.

County and unitary arrangement with a combined authority for strategic functions including transport and housing.

Derbyshire County Council with Derby City as a unitary authority. Two-tier districts elsewhere in the county.

Mixed structure: Derby became unitary in 1997; rest of Derbyshire remains two-tier.

Devon County Council with Plymouth and Torbay as unitary authorities. Two-tier districts in the rest of Devon.

Plymouth and Torbay became unitaries in 1998; Devon retains two-tier structure elsewhere.

East Sussex County Council with Brighton & Hove as a unitary authority. Two-tier districts in the rest of East Sussex.

Brighton & Hove became unitary in 1997; East Sussex remains two-tier in its remaining area.

Essex County Council with Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock as unitary authorities. Two-tier districts in the rest of Essex.

Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock became unitaries in 1998; Essex remains two-tier elsewhere.

Gloucestershire County Council with six district councils. No unitary authorities within the county.

Fully two-tier county structure across the whole of Gloucestershire.

Hampshire County Council with Portsmouth and Southampton as unitaries; Isle of Wight is a separate unitary authority.

Portsmouth and Southampton became unitaries in 1997; Isle of Wight is a single unitary; rest of Hampshire is two-tier.

Hertfordshire County Council with ten district councils. No unitary authorities within the county.

Fully two-tier county structure across Hertfordshire.

Kent County Council with Medway as a unitary authority. Two-tier districts in the rest of Kent.

Medway became a unitary authority in 1998; rest of Kent remains two-tier.

Lancashire County Council with Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool as unitary authorities. Two-tier districts elsewhere.

Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool became unitaries in 1998; rest of Lancashire is two-tier.

Leicestershire County Council with Leicester City and Rutland as unitary authorities. Two-tier districts in the rest of Leicestershire.

Leicester became unitary in 1997; Rutland in 1997; rest of Leicestershire remains two-tier.

Lincolnshire County Council with North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire as unitary authorities. Two-tier districts in the rest of Lincolnshire.

North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire became unitaries in 1996; rest of Lincolnshire is two-tier.

Norfolk County Council with seven district councils. No unitary authorities within the county.

Fully two-tier county structure across Norfolk.

Nottinghamshire County Council with Nottingham City as a unitary authority. Two-tier districts in the rest of Nottinghamshire.

Nottingham became a unitary authority in 1998; rest of Nottinghamshire remains two-tier.

Oxfordshire County Council with five district councils. No unitary authorities within the county.

Fully two-tier county structure across Oxfordshire.

Staffordshire County Council with Stoke-on-Trent as a unitary authority. Two-tier districts in the rest of Staffordshire.

Stoke-on-Trent became a unitary authority in 1997; rest of Staffordshire remains two-tier.

Suffolk County Council with five district councils. No unitary authorities within the county.

Fully two-tier county structure across Suffolk.

Warwickshire County Council with five district councils. No unitary authorities within the county.

Fully two-tier county structure across Warwickshire.

West Sussex County Council with seven district councils. No unitary authorities within the county.

Fully two-tier county structure across West Sussex.

Worcestershire County Council with six district councils. No unitary authorities within the county.

Fully two-tier county structure across Worcestershire.

Dorset reorganisation created two unitary authorities: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, and Dorset Council. Completed in 2019.

Dorset was one of the first major reorganisations in recent years, creating two unitary authorities from the previous county and district structure. This case study provides valuable lessons on transition management and service integration.

Buckinghamshire reorganisation merged the county council with four district councils to create a single unitary authority. Completed in 2020.

Buckinghamshire's reorganisation created one of the largest unitary authorities in England. The transition involved significant service integration and provides insights into managing large-scale reorganisations.

Somerset reorganisation merged the county council with four district councils to create Somerset Council. Completed in 2023.

Somerset's recent reorganisation offers contemporary insights into LGR processes, shadow authority management, and the challenges of service integration in a rural context.

North Yorkshire reorganisation merged the county council with seven district councils to create North Yorkshire Council. Completed in 2023.

North Yorkshire created one of the largest unitary authorities in England, covering a vast rural area. The reorganisation provides lessons on managing geographic scale and rural service delivery.

Cumbria reorganisation split into two unitary authorities: Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council. Completed in 2023.

Cumbria's reorganisation created two unitary authorities from the previous county structure, offering insights into managing split reorganisations and maintaining service continuity across large geographic areas.