Council shake-up plans face further delay

2 hours ago

Aimee DexterCambridgeshire

Jim McMahon announced the delay in the House of Commons on Thursday

Parliament TV Jim McMahon has short brown hair. He is wearing a light blue shirt, a multicoloured tie, navy suit jacket and he has a red poppy on his lapel. — Jim McMahon announced the delay in the House of Commons on Thursday

Plans to replace the seven councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with either two or three new authorities are facing a further delay.

The new councils would oversee services including planning and social care. Five options were put forward for consideration, with elections to any new unitary authorities scheduled for May 2028.

Jim McMahon MP, minister for local government, devolution and regional growth, told the House of Commons on Thursday proposals submitted for the area "will remain under consideration".

He said a final decision would be made early next year at the latest.

The government is abolishing two-tier council systems across England, saying the changes will save money by streamlining services.

It also hopes it will make it easier for residents to understand who is responsible for local services.

McMahon also announced the region would receive £500,000 in transition funding to support work on reorganisation.

It comes after the government had previously announced all areas would receive £900,000 in transition funding for each new unitary authority.

"After final decisions, we will pay any remaining balance, depending on how many councils are chosen," McMahon added.

Lucy Nethsingha said the delay would prevent council's "making long-term plans"

Image of Lucy looking at the camera, with her head and shoulders visible, in the background are some houses. — Lucy Nethsingha said the delay would prevent council's "making long-term plans"

Liberal Democrat councillor and leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Lucy Nethsingha, said the decision was "a bitter disappointment".

"Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were already stuck in 'LGR limbo' and to simply extend that further beggars belief," said Nethsingha.

She said "continued uncertainty" would prevent authorities from making long-term plans.

"In particular, the anxiety and uncertainty that this creates for the hard-working staff in the seven councils in this area is intolerable."

Cambridge City Council said local elections planned for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in May 2027 would still go ahead for the existing authorities.

Katie Thornburrow, Labour councillor and leader of Cambridge City Council, said she welcomed the update.

"Having more certainty around the nature of future arrangements for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough by early 2027 will mean we will then be able to start work in earnest on shaping a new unitary authority, which will come into being from April 2029," she said.

Shabina Qayyum has said she prefers Option D for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Emma Baugh/BBC Shabina Qayyum sitting at a desk looking directly at the camera and smiling. She is wearing a pink, purple and gold patterned shirt. She is also wearing a pair of black glasses. — Shabina Qayyum has said she prefers Option D for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Labour leader of Peterborough City Council Shabina Qayyum said: "It is right that any changes and their implications are closely examined before a final decision is made.

"However, I remain convinced that Option D is our preferred option for Peterborough."

Paul Bristow, Conservative mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: "Other parts of the country are getting certainty about their future.

"There is no good reason why Cambridgeshire and Peterborough should be left behind."