CIH comments on plans to pause local government reorganisation in England

CIH urges the government to clarify the future of local government reorganisation (LGR).

The call comes after today’s announcement by Angela Raynor, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, that decisions on LGR made earlier this year would be withdrawn in four areas (Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk) and plans paused in a further 14 counties.

Tom Arnold, policy manager for regional engagement and devolution at CIH, said:

“The announcement that local government reorganisation is effectively on hold will cause significant concern amongst staff in those local authorities affected by the decision. The government confirmed its plans just a matter of weeks ago, before parliament’s summer recess, and officers have been working hard to meet tight deadlines to ensure the new councils are up and running.

"Whilst we understand the government’s need to ensure that the decisions made are legally robust and align with its wider devolution agenda, the uncertainty this pause creates will add further pressure to already stretched local authorities and potentially delay important housing and planning decisions. We encourage the government to clarify as soon as possible whether reorganisation in the affected areas will be reviewed, cancelled or simply paused until a later date.”