What is local government reorganisation (LGR)?
A guide to Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution
This page explains what Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution are, and how this might affect residents and businesses.
In December 2024, the Government announced a significant reform programme for local government, including devolution and local government reorganisation as two key components.
1. Devolution: The transfer of powers and funding from national government to local government, specifically to newly created strategic authorities that will be led by a mayor.
2. Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): Refers to restructuring the geographic remit and the roles and responsibilities of local authorities. Through this process, the Government is aiming to simplify how councils are organised across England by ending the two-tier system.
The government believes that local government reorganisation, together with devolution over a larger strategic area, will improve public services and support economic growth. Devolution is the transfer of powers and funding from national government to local government.
West Sussex is a two-tier area served by seven district and borough councils and a county council.
District and borough councils are responsible for services including:
- rubbish collection
- recycling
- housing
- benefits and council tax
- planning
- leisure
County councils are responsible for services including:
- education
- transport
- social care for adults and children
- libraries
- waste management
- Town and parish councils
Some areas also have town or parish councils which are responsible for some services, facilities and public spaces within a community such as some parks, village halls, allotments, litter bins, and local events.
Town and parish councils will remain as they are.
We cannot opt out. All councils must follow the process outlines in the Government’s English Devolution White Paper. Choosing to make no change is not an option.
A government consultation is a formal process used to gather views on proposed changes. It allows councils, residents, organisations and other stakeholders to give feedback before decisions are made.
Consultations help ensure that decisions are:
-Informed - by drawing on local knowledge, evidence and lived experience
-Transparent - by clearly setting out proposals and how decisions will be made
Fair and accountable - by giving people the opportunity to have their say before changes are agreed
Feedback from consultations does not determine outcomes on its own, but it plays an important role in shaping final decisions.
Once a government consultation has closed, the responses are reviewed by the Secretary of State to assess the merits of the proposals.
Proposals submitted by councils are considered alongside consultation responses and other relevant information. A decision is then taken on whether to proceed, including whether a proposal should be implemented or amended. If proposals are approved, changes are introduced through a phased process, with transitional arrangements to support a smooth implementation.
The government has recognised that local government reorganisation creates upfront costs for councils. To support this, the government has confirmed that up to £63 million in new capacity funding will be made available to help local councils across the 21 reorganisation areas to best deliver local government re-organisation, building on the £7.6 million provided for developing proposals. Councils are also expected to manage transition costs over time from existing budgets, using existing financial flexibilities to support transformation and invest‑to‑save activity. Further details on funding are shared nationally as the programme progresses.
Your services are currently split between your district or borough and the county council, in the future these services will be provided by a single ‘unitary’ council.
Until LGR happens, it is business as usual, and we will continue to support our communities to the high standards that they expect. We will just need to carefully consider any long-term decisions that may impact on any future reorganisation.
Will money currently held by councils still be used for local services?
If the government goes ahead with local government reorganisation, Parliament will approve a legal order that sets out how the change will work.
This includes what will happen to council buildings, money, debts and savings when councils come together to form a new unitary council.