Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

The English Devolution White Paper outlines the Government's plans to transfer power from Westminster to local areas and reorganise local government.

Currently, local government is made up of different types of councils, including:

• Strategic Authorities (mainly mayoral combined authorities)
• County councils
• City councils
• Borough and District councils
• Town and parish councils

The aim of the White Paper is to:

• Devolve more powers to local areas (devolution), and
• Simplify the local government structure (Local Government Reorganisation).

Devolution

Devolution means transferring powers from the Government to local areas. This allows local decision-makers to have more of a say in what happens in their area, ensuring decisions are made closer to the local people, communities, and businesses they affect.

The Government aims to create Strategic Authorities in areas that don’t currently have one. These authorities, usually led by directly elected mayors, would be responsible for:

• Housing
• Highways and transport
• Economic growth
• Skills and employment support
• Environment and climate change
• Health
• Public safety

Benefits of devolution

Devolution could mean:

• More powers and funding being passed down from Government
• Better co-ordination of services across the region
• Improved skills development for residents
• More strategic control over planning and housing
• A stronger voice for our region with central Government.

Hertfordshire has been invited to put forward written proposals.

Local Government Reorganisation

Currently, Hertfordshire operates a two-tier system:

• Hertfordshire County Council provides services such as social care, highways, and education
• Ten district and borough councils deliver services such as planning, housing, and waste collection.

The Government has invited Hertfordshire to propose changes, which may involve replacing the two-tier system with one or more unitary councils responsible for all services.

Benefits of Local Government Reorganisation

Local Government Reorganisation could mean:

• A more co-ordinated approach to service delivery.
• Better value for money
• Potential cost savings
• Stronger strategic and local leadership.

Event timeline

We're working to the following timelines, set out by the Government:

Event time timeline for Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Date	Action
5 February 2025	Government issues official invitation to submit unitary proposals
21 March 2025	Submit  Interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal (PDF 467KB)
1 May 2025	Hertfordshire County Council elections
15 May 2025	Government feedback on interim submission on Local Government Reorganisation (PDF 214KB)
28 November 2025	Submit full Local Government Reorganisation proposal
May 2027	Elections (shadow authorities)*
April 2028	New unitary councils officially take over

*Shadow authorities are the new unitary council/s prior to them formally taking on all responsibilities. 

More information

Local Government Association (LGA) Devolution Hub

Visit the  LGA Devolution Hub  for more information and resources. This includes devolution and local government reorganisation FAQs and updates on the current devolution framework and devolution deals agreed between Government and local areas.

Letter from Jim McMahon OBE. Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution

The letter to all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitary authorities (dated 16 December 2024) sets out the Government’s process and milestones.