Council leaders issue joint letter on Local Government Reorganisation

Council leaders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have today (Friday 21 March) sent a letter to the Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution setting out progress on plans to move towards a new system of local government.

The letter, signed by the Leaders of Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, is in response to the invitation from Government for councils to work together to develop a proposal for local government reorganisation.

The invitation from the Government was issued in a letter on 5 February 2025 to every council leader in two-tier areas of local government and neighbouring unitary authorities. The invitation asked for an interim update to be submitted on or before 21 March 2025.

Council Leaders across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have today issued a response to the Minister.

Cllr Anna Bailey, Leader, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Cllr Sarah Conboy, Leader, Huntingdonshire District Council, Cllr Mike Davey, Leader, Cambridge City Council, Cllr Dennis Jones, Leader, Peterborough City Council, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader, Cambridgeshire County Council and Cllr Bridget Smith, Leader, South Cambridgeshire District Council have also issued the following joint statement:

“We are approaching local government reorganisation with an open mind and a spirit of wanting the best for all our residents and for the local area as a whole.  Not all of us would have chosen this path, but we accept that it is the path we are on and realise it is important that we collaborate to control our own destiny.

“In recent weeks, we have been working closely together to understand the differing perspectives of each authority and to consider the various unitary scenarios.

“Further work will take place, at pace, after the county council and mayoral elections to reach a shared understanding of how best to progress our proposals.  The scenarios we are considering will take account of historic community identities, the interests of residents, economic geographies, and local demographic representation. 

“We look forward to further discussions with each other and with government, and when the time is right, with residents, Members of Parliament and our partners including the police, NHS, fire service and town and parish councils.

“We will continue to work together to achieve the best outcome possible for our residents and every community, village, town and city in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.”