Local Government Devolution
In February 2025, the UK government continued significant reforms of Local Government by establishing new Combined Authorities in four regions; Devon, Lincolnshire, Hull, East Yorkshire and Lancashire.
These bodies are designed to facilitate regional collaboration and devolve powers from Central Government to local areas. Looking ahead to 2026, proposals are in place to create additional Combined Authorities with directly elected mayors in regions including Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Greater Essex, Hampshire and the Solent, Norfolk and Suffolk, and Sussex and Brighton. These reforms aim to streamline local government structures, enhance efficiency, and provide regions with greater autonomy over areas like transport, housing, and economic development.
The transition involves reorganizing existing councils, with some elections postponed for 2025 to accommodate the new structures, reflecting a comprehensive effort to reshape local government across England.
| 2025: Establishment of Combined Authorities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timeline | Change Type | Name | Region | Affected Councils |
| Feb 2025 | Combined Authority | Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (DTCCA) | Devon | Devon County Council, Torbay Council |
| Feb 2025 | Combined Authority | Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority | Lincolnshire | Lincolnshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council, North East Lincolnshire Council |
| Feb 2025 | Combined Authority | Hull and East Yorkshire Combined Authority | Yorkshire | Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council |
| Feb 2025 | Combined Authority | Lancashire Combined County Authority (LCCA) | Lancashire | Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Council |
| 2026: Proposed Establishment of Combined Authorities with Directly Elected Mayors | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timeline | Change Type | Proposed Name | Region | Affected Councils |
| 2026 | Combined Authority | Cheshire and Warrington Combined Authority | Cheshire | Cheshire East Council, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Warrington Borough Council |
| 2026 | Combined Authority | Cumbria Combined Authority | Cumbria | Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council |
| 2026 | Combined Authority | Greater Essex Combined Authority | Essex | Essex County Council, Thurrock Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council |
| 2026 | Combined Authority | Hampshire and the Solent Combined Authority | Hampshire and the Solent | Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council, Isle of Wight Council |
| 2026 | Combined Authority | Norfolk and Suffolk Combined Authority | Norfolk and Suffolk | Norfolk County Council, Suffolk County Council |
| 2026 | Combined Authority | Sussex and Brighton Combined Authority | Sussex and Brighton | East Sussex County Council, West Sussex County Council, Brighton and Hove City Council |
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