Reorganising Cambridgeshire's councils

After 18 months of negotiations, redrawn maps and rigorous debates, this week should have marked the beginning of the end for the reorganisation of local government in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

But when Steve Reed, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, made his announcements for other English councils, his response for the area was - no decision.

He stated that "more time is needed to get the decision right."

It's left council leaders baffled, MPs angry and lots of unanswered questions.

Why are councils being re-organised?

In December 2024 the government said unitary authorities would replace the current two tier system and would run services currently provided by county, city and district councils.

It said this would save money and remove confusion for residents who often don't know which council is responsible for which service.

Cambridgeshire currently has a two-tier system, with a County Council and five district councils.

Peterborough already operates as a single unitary authority. However the original plans said new authorities had to have around 500,000 residents to be financially sustainable. The population of Peterborough is less than half that.

Four options were put forward for the government to consider. All proposed two or three unitary authorities.

A public consultation also took place.

Different councils backed different options.

Huntingdonshire preferred an option where they would form one unitary.

Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire wanted an option that would see them form one joint council.

Peterborough preferred an option where parts of Huntingdonshire would combine with the city.

The County Council wanted two councils, splitting the county in two.

Why are council leaders worried about the delay?

Despite the delayed announcement the government has said Cambridgeshire and Peterborough must still hold shadow elections in 2027 and have new councils operational by April 2028.

The Conservative leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, Anna Bailey, said this will put strain on staff, who can't start the process of preparing for a transfer of services and will make it harder to achieve a proper and safe transition by April 2028.

Lucy Nethsingha, the Liberal Democrat leader of Cambridgeshire County Council said she has 'major concerns' about the delays and added: "Council workers deserve clarity about the future."

What will it mean for council tax and services?

Council leaders said services will continue as normal and residents won't notice a change. Bins will still be collected, social care will continue and highways will still be repaired.

However some longer term plans are already being delayed. Cambridgeshire County Council didn't procure a new highways contract because of the re-organisation plans.

Changes to council tax haven't been confirmed. However different councils currently charge different rates and it's not known whether the rates would be equalised as councils merge.

Peterborough residents pay the cheapest council tax, £1,836.72 per year for a Band D property.

A resident in the same band in Huntingdonshire pays £1,956.28 to the county and district councils.

For Cambridge City residents that figure is £2,024.49. These figures don't include other council tax elements such as those paid to the police and fire service.

When will the decision be made?

Steve Reed said the decision will come "as soon as possible." A later statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it would be 'by October.'

The times will be very tight as parliament returns from its summer recess on 1 September for just two weeks. There is then another four-week recess for the party conference season. MPs then return on 12 October.

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