In July 2025, the government wrote to the councils in the 14 remaining 2-tier areas and neighbouring small unitary councils, asking for proposals to be submitted to the
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government by the end of November 2025. The government held statutory consultations on these proposals from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026. Decisions on which proposals to implement are expected to be announced before the summer of 2026. Secondary legislation would be required to implement these changes, followed by elections to the new shadow unitary authorities which would be expected to take place on 6 May 2027. The new authorities would then be established on 1 April 2028. Following the
English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill in December 2024 and the subsequent invitation to councils to consider boundaries for the new Unitaries, councils began their deliberations as to their preferred models. • On 21 October,
Cambridgeshire County Council's decided on Option A. • On 7 November,
Fenland agreed to support Option D. • On 12 November, the
City of Peterborough Council also backed Option D, confirmed by its Cabinet meeting on 18 November. • On 19 November,
Huntingdonshire District Council agreed that Option E was its favoured choice. This is subject to a Council Cabinet meeting on 24 November. • On 20 November,
City of Cambridge backed Option B. • Also on 20 November,
East Cambridgeshire chose Option B. • On 24 November,
South Cambridgeshire adopted Option B by 21 votes to 6. While MPs are not part of the current consultation process, the MP for Huntingdon
Ben Obese-Jecty raised the matter in Parliament and expressed his support for Option E. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Cambridge City Council,
East Cambridgeshire District Council, and
South Cambridgeshire District Council proposed the following 2 council structure (referred to locally as Option B): • North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough: Peterborough, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire, Fenland • Greater Cambridge: Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire County Council proposed the following 2 council structure (referred to locally as Option A): • Northwest: Peterborough, Fenland, Huntingdonshire • Southeast: Cambridge, East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire
Huntingdonshire District Council proposed the following 3 council structure (referred to locally as Option E): • North: Peterborough, Fenland, East Cambridgeshire • South: Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire • Huntingdonshire: Huntingdonshire
Peterborough City Council and
Fenland District Council proposed the following 3 council structure (referred to locally as Option D): • Greater Peterborough: Peterborough, 9 wards from Huntingdonshire • Mid Cambridgeshire: Fenland, East Cambridgeshire, Huntingdonshire (less 9 wards) • Greater Cambridge: Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire Government consultation on these four proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Derbyshire and Derby Derbyshire is administered by
Derbyshire County Council, eight non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority: •
High Peak •
Derbyshire Dales •
South Derbyshire •
Erewash •
Amber Valley •
North East Derbyshire •
Chesterfield •
Bolsover •
Derby (unitary)
Proposals In August 2025, Derbyshire's district, borough, and city councils agreed on three options for further consideration, referred to as Option A, Option B, and Option C. All three proposals would see the area covered by two authorities, with one council covering the southern part of the county (including the city of Derby), and the other covering the northern part of the county. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Derbyshire County Council proposed a single unitary authority covering the whole county area, including Derby. Eight of the nine remaining councils proposed 2 unitary councils for Derbyshire, including Derby. They all agreed to propose the following: • There should be a "Northern Derbyshire" authority including Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, and North East Derbyshire. • There should be a "Southern Derbyshire" authority including Derby, Erewash, and South Derbyshire. :This proposal included the following four sub-proposals, because the eight councils disagreed on plans for
Amber Valley: :*
Amber Valley Borough Council proposed that Amber Valley be included in "Northern Derbyshire" (referred to locally as Option A or Proposal A). :*
South Derbyshire District Council proposed that Amber Valley be included in "Southern Derbyshire" (referred to locally as Option B or Proposal B). :*
Bolsover District Council and
North East Derbyshire District Council proposed that Amber Valley be split, with 14 parishes included in "Southern Derbyshire" and the remainder included in "Northern Derbyshire" (referred to locally as Option C or Proposal A1). :*
Chesterfield Borough Council,
Derby City Council,
Erewash Borough Council, and
High Peak Borough Council also proposed that Amber Valley be split, with a different configuration of 14 parishes included in "Southern Derbyshire" and the remainder included in "Northern Derbyshire" (referred to locally as Proposal B1).
Derbyshire Dales District Council did not submit a proposal. Government consultation on these five proposals (including the four sub-proposals for Amber Valley) ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay Devon is administered by
Devon County Council, eight non-metropolitan districts and two unitary authorities: •
North Devon •
Torridge •
Mid Devon •
East Devon •
Exeter •
West Devon •
Teignbridge •
Plymouth (unitary) •
South Hams •
Torbay (unitary)
Proposals In September 2025, Devon County Council proposed that the entire area covered by the county council become a single unitary authority, with Plymouth and Torbay remaining as unitary authorities on their existing borders. This plan was critisiced by Exeter City Council, who proposed that Exeter be expanded to become a unitary authority of its own. Plymouth City Council also proposed expanding into areas currently covered by the county council, whilst Torbay had yet to decide on a final proposal. Devon's other district councils proposed an alternative structure, known as the "1-4-5 plan", which envisages that Plymouth would continue as a unitary authority on its existing boundary, whilst the remainder of the county (including Torbay) would be divided two authorities. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Devon County Council proposed a 3 council structure comprising an unchanged Plymouth, an unchanged Torbay, and one authority covering the whole of the existing county council area.
South Hams District Council,
Teignbridge District Council, and
West Devon Borough Council proposed the following 3 council structure (referred to locally as District Councils Main Proposal): • Exeter and Northern Devon: East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge • Plymouth (unchanged) • Torbay and Southern Devon: South Hams, Teignbridge, Torbay, West Devon
East Devon District Council,
Mid Devon District Council,
North Devon Council, and
Torridge District Council proposed the following 3 council structure (referred to locally as District Councils Modified Proposal): • Exeter and Northern Devon: East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge • Plymouth (expanded): Plymouth, 4 part-parishes from South Hams • Torbay and Southern Devon: Teignbridge, Torbay, West Devon, South Hams (less 4 part-parishes)
Exeter City Council and
Plymouth City Council proposed the following 4 council structure: • Exeter (expanded): Exeter, 28 parishes from East Devon, 6 parishes from Mid Devon, 15 parishes from Teignbridge • Plymouth (expanded): Plymouth, 13 parishes from South Hams • Torbay (expanded): Torbay, 5 parishes from South Hams, 16 parishes from Teignbridge • Devon Coast and Countryside: North Devon, Torridge, West Devon, East Devon (less 28 parishes), Mid Devon (less 6 parishes), South Hams (less 18 parishes), Teignbridge (less 31 parishes)
Torbay Council proposed the following 4 council structure: • Exeter (expanded): Exeter, 28 parishes from East Devon, 6 parishes from Mid Devon, 15 parishes from Teignbridge • Plymouth (expanded): Plymouth, 13 parishes from South Hams • Torbay (unchanged) • Rural Devon Coast and Countryside: North Devon, Torridge, West Devon, East Devon (less 28 parishes), Mid Devon (less 6 parishes), South Hams (less 13 parishes), Teignbridge (less 15 parishes) Government consultation on these five proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Gloucestershire Gloucestershire is administered by
Gloucestershire County Council, six non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority: •
Tewkesbury •
Forest of Dean •
Gloucester •
Cheltenham •
Stroud •
Cotswold •
South Gloucestershire (unitary)
Proposals South Gloucestershire forms part of the
West of England Combined Authority. It is outside of the government's invitation area and is not expected to undergo any changes. For the remainder of the county (the county council area) as of August 2025 three options were under consideration: • One council covering the whole county council area. • Two councils with an eastern authority and a western authority. • Two councils with a "Greater Gloucester" authority and another authority covering the remainder of the county council area. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Cotswold District Council,
Gloucestershire County Council,
Stroud District Council, and
Tewkesbury Borough Council proposed a single unitary authority covering the whole of the existing county council area.
Cheltenham Borough Council proposed the following 2 council structure for the existing county council area: • East Gloucestershire: Cheltenham, Cotswold, Tewkesbury • West Gloucestershire: Forest of Dean, Gloucester, Stroud
Gloucester City Council proposed the following 2 council structure for the existing county council area: • Greater Gloucester City: Gloucester, 12 parishes from Tewkesbury, 8 parishes from Stroud, 1 parish from Forest of Dean • Gloucestershire: Cheltenham, Cotswold, Tewkesbury (less 12 parishes), Stroud (less 8 parishes), Forest of Dean (less 1 parish)
Forest of Dean District Council did not submit a proposal, nor did
South Gloucestershire Council which is outside of the government's invitation area. Government consultation on these three proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Hertfordshire Hertfordshire did not bid to become part of the priority programme.
Hertfordshire is administered by
Hertfordshire County Council and ten non-metropolitan districts: •
North Hertfordshire •
Stevenage •
East Hertfordshire •
Dacorum •
St Albans •
Welwyn Hatfield •
Broxbourne •
Three Rivers •
Watford •
Hertsmere Proposals In May 2025, the Leaders of all eleven Hertfordshire councils jointly agreed that a single unitary authority covering the entire county – an area with a population of 1.2 million – would be too remote to maintain democratic accountability. The councils jointly proposed three options: • Option A: Two authorities: West Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire • Option B: Three authorities: West Hertfordshire, Central Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire • Option C: Four authorities: West Hertfordshire, Southwest Hertfordshire, East Hertfordshire, Central Hertfordshire. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Hertfordshire County Council and
St Albans City and District Council proposed the following 2 council structure (referred to locally as Option A): • West Hertfordshire: Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans, Three Rivers, Watford • Eastern Hertfordshire: Broxbourne, East Hertfordshire, North Hertfordshire, Stevenage, Welwyn Hatfield
East Hertfordshire District Council,
Three Rivers District Council, and
Watford Borough Council proposed the following 3 council structure (referred to locally as Option B): • West Hertfordshire: Dacorum, Three Rivers, Watford, 4 wards from Hertsmere • Central Hertfordshire: St Albans, Welwyn Hatfield, Hertsmere (less 4 wards) • Eastern Hertfordshire: Broxbourne, East Hertfordshire, North Hertfordshire, Stevenage
Broxbourne Borough Council,
Dacorum Borough Council,
Hertsmere Borough Council,
North Hertfordshire District Council,
Stevenage Borough Council, and
Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council proposed the following 4 council structure (referred to locally as Option C): • North West Hertfordshire: Dacorum, St Albans • South West Hertfordshire: Hertsmere, Three Rivers, Watford • Central Hertfordshire: Stevenage, North Hertfordshire (less 6 wards), Welwyn Hatfield (less 1 ward) • Eastern Hertfordshire: Broxbourne, East Hertfordshire, 6 wards from North Hertfordshire, 1 ward from Welwyn Hatfield Government consultation on these three proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Kent and Medway Kent is administered by
Kent County Council, twelve non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority: •
Sevenoaks •
Dartford •
Gravesham • •
Medway (unitary) •
Maidstone •
Tunbridge Wells •
Swale •
Ashford •
Canterbury •
Folkestone and Hythe •
Thanet •
Dover Kent County Council and Medway Council applied for a devolution deal in January 2025 which would include a Mayor of Kent above several unitary authorities. In February 2025 it was announced that Kent would not be part of the priority programme.
Proposals In July 2025, the county council suggested a split into three unitary authorities: West Kent, North Kent, and East Kent. Medway Council suggested a four-authority plan including realignment of the existing Maidstone/Medway boundary. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Kent County Council proposed a single unitary authority covering the whole county area, including Medway (referred to locally as Option 1a).
Folkestone and Hythe District Council,
Maidstone Borough Council,
Sevenoaks District Council,
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, and
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council proposed the following 3 council structure (referred to locally as Option 3a): • North Kent: Dartford, Gravesham, Medway, Swale • West Kent: Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells • East Kent: Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe, Thanet
Dover District Council,
Swale Borough Council, and
Thanet District Council proposed the following 4 council structure (referred to locally as Option 4b): • North Kent: Dartford, Gravesham, Medway • West Kent: Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells • Mid Kent: Swale, Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe • East Kent: Canterbury, Dover, Thanet
Medway Council,
Ashford Borough Council, and
Canterbury City Council proposed the following 4 council structure (referred to locally as Option 4d): • North Kent: Medway (98%), Gravesham (87%), Swale (81%), Dartford (78%), Tonbridge and Malling (3%), Maidstone (2%) • West Kent: Sevenoaks, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Malling (61%), Dartford (22%), Gravesham (13%), Medway (2%) • Mid Kent: Ashford, Maidstone (98%), Folkestone and Hythe (36%), Tonbridge and Malling (36%), Swale (3%), Medway (<1%) • East Kent: Canterbury, Dover, Thanet, Folkestone and Hythe (64%), Swale (17%)
Dartford Borough Council and
Gravesham Borough Council proposed the following 5 council structure (referred to locally as Option 5a): • North Kent: Dartford, Gravesham, 11 parishes and unparished area west of River Medway from Medway, 2 parishes from Sevenoaks • Mid Kent: Swale (less 7 parishes), Medway (less 11 parishes and unparished area west of River Medway) • East Kent: Canterbury, Thanet, 7 parishes from Swale • West Kent: Maidstone, Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks (less 2 parishes) • South Kent: Ashford, Dover, Folkestone and Hythe Government consultation on these five proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, and Blackpool Lancashire is administered by
Lancashire County Council, twelve non-metropolitan districts and two unitary authorities: •
Lancaster •
Wyre •
Blackpool (unitary) •
Fylde •
Preston •
Ribble Valley •
South Ribble •
Hyndburn •
Burnley •
Pendle •
West Lancashire •
Chorley •
Blackburn with Darwen (unitary) •
Rossendale Proposals In November 2024, a group of Lancashire MPs called for the replacement of the current two-tier system with a smaller number of unitary authorities. Three and four authority models were proposed. In December 2024, the leaders of South Ribble Council and Chorley Council proposed forming a unitary authority together with West Lancashire Council. As of October 2025, five options were under consideration by the county's councils: • Two councils, with a northern council and a southern council. • Three councils, with a northern council, a western council, and an eastern council. • Four councils, with a north-western council, a south-western council, a south-eastern council, and a north-eastern council. • Four councils, with a different configuration. • Five councils, with a mid-western council, a south-western council, a central council, a northern council, and an eastern council. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Lancashire County Council proposed the following 2 council structure: • North Lancashire: Blackpool, Fylde, Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley, Wyre • South Lancashire: Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Chorley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, South Ribble, West Lancashire
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council,
Fylde Borough Council,
Hyndburn Borough Council,
Rossendale Borough Council, and
Wyre Borough Council proposed the following 3 council structure: • Central Lancashire: Chorley, Preston, South Ribble, West Lancashire • Coastal Lancashire: Blackpool, Fylde, Lancaster, Wyre • Pennine Lancashire: Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley, Rossendale
Chorley Borough Council,
Lancaster City Council,
Preston City Council,
Ribble Valley Borough Council,
South Ribble Borough Council, and
West Lancashire Borough Council proposed the following 4 council structure: • Fylde Coast: Blackpool, Fylde, Wyre • North Lancashire: Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley • Pennine Lancashire: Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale • South Lancashire: Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire
Blackpool Council proposed the following 4 council structure: • Eastern: Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale, Ribble Valley (less 10 wards) • Northern: Lancaster, 10 wards from Ribble Valley, 8 wards from Wyre • Southern: Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire • Western: Blackpool, Fylde, Preston, Wyre (less 8 wards)
Burnley Borough Council and
Pendle Borough Council proposed the following 5 council structure: • East: Burnley, Pendle, Rossendale • Middle: Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley • North: Lancaster, Wyre • South: Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire • West: Blackpool, Fylde, Preston Government consultation on these five proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland is formed of the
ceremonial counties of
Leicestershire and
Rutland.
Leicestershire is administered by
Leicestershire County Council, seven non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority: •
North West Leicestershire •
Charnwood •
Melton •
Harborough •
Oadby and Wigston •
Blaby •
Hinckley and Bosworth •
Leicester (unitary)
Rutland is administered by a single unitary authority,
Rutland County Council.
Proposals Three rival plans emerged for Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland in 2025.
Leicestershire County Council proposed a "doughnut" model with a large unitary authority covering the entire area currently served by Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council. The seven non-metropolitan Leicestershire districts and
Rutland County Council jointly considered proposing two smaller unitary authorities; a "North Leicestershire and Rutland Council" and a "South Leicestershire Council". Neither of these two plans seeks to change the status or boundaries of the existing Leicester City Council unitary authority. A third proposal by
Leicester City Council seeks to substantially expand the existing Leicester unitary authority boundary to include more of the built up areas surrounding Leicester (including Oadby, Wigston, Thurmaston, Syston, Birstall, Glen Parva, Glenfield). Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Leicester City Council proposed the following 2 council structure: • Leicester (expanded): Leicester, Oadby and Wigston, 16 parishes from Blaby, 11 parishes and 1 part-parish from Charnwood, 7 parishes and 5 part-parishes from Harborough • Leicestershire and Rutland: Hinckley and Bosworth, Melton, North West Leicestershire, Rutland, Blaby (less 16 parishes), Charnwood (less 11 parishes and 1 part-parish), Harborough (less 7 parishes and 5 part-parishes)
Leicestershire County Council proposed 2 unitary authorities comprising an unchanged Leicester City and one authority covering the remainder of Leicestershire and Rutland.
Blaby District Council,
Charnwood Borough Council,
Harborough District Council,
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council,
Melton Borough Council,
North West Leicestershire District Council,
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, and
Rutland County Council proposed the following 3 unitary council structure: • Leicester (unchanged) • North Leicestershire and Rutland: Charnwood, North West Leicestershire, Melton, Rutland • South Leicestershire: Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, Oadby and Wigston Government consultation on these three proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, and North Lincolnshire Lincolnshire is administered by
Lincolnshire County Council, seven non-metropolitan districts and two unitary authorities: •
Lincoln •
North Kesteven •
South Kesteven •
South Holland •
Boston •
East Lindsey •
West Lindsey •
North Lincolnshire (unitary) •
North East Lincolnshire (unitary)
Proposals In March 2025, three separate proposals for the future governance of Lincolnshire were published: • A single council for the area that currently makes up Lincolnshire County Council and a merger of the current two unitary authorities of North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire in the north of the county to make a single council however the proposed northern council would not be within the government's preferred minimum population quota of 500,000. • Lincolnshire split into two separate unitary authorities on a north–south basis with North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, East Lindsey, and West Lindsey making up the northern council area and Lincoln, North Kesteven, South Kesteven, Boston, and South Holland making up the southern council area. Both proposed areas fall within the governments preferred minimum population quota of 500,000. • Lincolnshire split up into three council areas, one covering Lincoln, West Lindsey, North Kesteven, and South Kesteven, the second covering East Lindsey, Boston, and South Holland, and the third covering North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire. It is stated that this option is unlikely to proceed because none of the proposed areas would be within the minimum population quota. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Boston Borough Council,
East Lindsey District Council, and
South Holland District Council proposed the following 2 council structure: • Northern Lincolnshire: Lincoln, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, West Lindsey • Southern Lincolnshire: Boston, East Lindsey, North Kesteven, South Holland, South Kesteven
City of Lincoln Council proposed the following 4 council structure: • Lincoln (expanded): Lincoln, 12 wards from North Kesteven, 7 wards from West Lindsey • Rural Lincolnshire: Boston, East Lindsey, South Holland, South Kesteven, North Kesteven (less 12 wards), West Lindsey (less 7 wards) • North East Lincolnshire (unchanged) • North Lincolnshire (unchanged)
Lincolnshire County Council,
North East Lincolnshire Council, and
North Lincolnshire Council proposed a 3 council structure comprising an unchanged North East Lincolnshire, an unchanged North Lincolnshire, and one authority covering the whole of the existing county council area.
North Kesteven District Council and
South Kesteven District Council proposed the following 4 council structure: • Unitary 1: North Kesteven, South Holland, South Kesteven • Unitary 2: Boston, East Lindsey, Lincoln, West Lindsey • North East Lincolnshire (unchanged) • North Lincolnshire (unchanged)
West Lindsey District Council did not submit a proposal. Government consultation on these four proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026:
Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Nottinghamshire is administered by
Nottinghamshire County Council, seven non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority: •
Nottingham (unitary) •
Bassetlaw •
Mansfield •
Newark and Sherwood •
Ashfield •
Gedling •
Broxtowe •
Rushcliffe Proposals In March 2025, the county's councils agreed to submit three options for further consideration known as Option 1b, Option 1e, and Option Bii. All three proposals would see the area covered by two authorities, with one council covering the
Nottingham built-up area, and the other covering the remainder of the county: As of October 2025, the councils covering the county had been unable to agree on which option to formally submit to the UK government. Bassetlaw District Council, Gedling Borough Council, Mansfield District Council, and Newark and Sherwood District Council each indicated their support for Option 1e, arguing that it provided a more balanced division between urban and rural areas, as well as demonstrating "sensible geography" for the county, creating a clear north–south division that better reflected existing community and economic patterns. They also cited findings from local consultations, which suggested that Option 1e was the public's preferred option. Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council both expressed a preference for Option 1b. Supporters of this approach cited closer administrative and functional ties between those districts and the city, suggesting it would create a clearer distinction between the Nottingham urban area and the wider county. Nottingham City Council expressed support for Option Bii, arguing that the current boundaries, drawn decades earlier, were "no longer fit for purpose" and did not reflect modern patterns of growth and connectivity. They stated that "we can’t let outdated boundaries or political convenience dictate our future", contending that a new configuration should reflect the city's actual economic and social footprint. Broxtowe Borough Council stated that it would oppose any reorganisation which resulted in the division of the borough between two unitary authorities, arguing that such a split would undermine local identity and the efficient delivery of services. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Nottinghamshire County Council and
Rushcliffe Borough Council proposed the following 2 council structure (referred to locally as Option 1b): • Nottingham (expanded): Broxtowe, Nottingham, Gedling • Nottinghamshire: Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, Rushcliffe
Bassetlaw District Council,
Gedling Borough Council,
Mansfield District Council, and
Newark and Sherwood District Council proposed the following 2 council structure (referred to locally as Option 1e): • Sherwood Forest: Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Gedling, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood • Nottingham and South Nottinghamshire: Broxtowe, Nottingham, Rushcliffe
Nottingham City Council proposed the following 2 council structure (referred to locally as Option Bii): • Southwest: Nottingham, Broxtowe (less 5 wards), Gedling (less 4 wards), Rushcliffe (less 7 wards) • North and East: Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, 5 wards from Broxtowe, 4 wards from Gedling, 7 wards from Rushcliffe
Ashfield District Council and
Broxtowe Borough Council did not submit proposals. Government consultation on these three proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Oxfordshire Oxfordshire is administered by
Oxfordshire County Council and five non-metropolitan districts: •
Oxford •
Cherwell •
South Oxfordshire •
Vale of White Horse •
West Oxfordshire Proposals Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Oxfordshire County Council proposed a single unitary authority covering the whole of the existing county council area.
Cherwell District Council,
South Oxfordshire District Council,
Vale of White Horse District Council,
West Oxfordshire District Council, and the unitary authority of
West Berkshire Council proposed the following two-council structure which includes West Berkshire from the neighbouring
ceremonial county of
Berkshire (outside the government's invitation area): • Greater Oxford: Oxford, 15 parishes from Cherwell, 25 parishes from South Oxfordshire, 9 parishes from Vale of White Horse • Northern Oxfordshire: West Oxfordshire, Cherwell (less 15 parishes) • Ridgeway: West Berkshire, South Oxfordshire (less 25 parishes), Vale of White Horse (less 9 parishes) Government consultation on these three proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire is administered by
Staffordshire County Council, eight non-metropolitan districts and one unitary authority: •
Stoke-on-Trent (unitary) •
Newcastle-under-Lyme •
Staffordshire Moorlands •
Stafford •
East Staffordshire •
South Staffordshire •
Cannock Chase •
Lichfield •
Tamworth Proposals In February 2025, Stoke-on-Trent City Council proposed merging with neighbouring Newcastle-under-Lyme and Staffordshire Moorlands. In March 2025, the district councils of Stafford, East Staffordshire, South Staffordshire, Cannock Chase, Lichfield, and Tamworth jointly proposed a complementary unitary authority covering the six districts. In October 2025 Staffordshire Moorlands proposed a modified version of this north/south split, in which the areas surrounding
Uttoxeter (currently in East Staffordshire) and
Stone (currently in Stafford) would also be added to the northern authority. Later that October, the district councils of Lichfield, South Staffordshire, and Tamworth proposed an alternative three-unitary model with two unitaries in the south of the county. Any north/south split is opposed by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, who instead prefer the current two-tier system, a Newcastle-under-Lyme unitary authority or any other unitary authority excluding Stoke-on-Trent. Separately in February 2025, Staffordshire County Council put forward a rival proposal for a unitary authority to cover the area of the current county council. However, since this proposal, the county council
changed hands, with
Reform UK now controlling the council. The Reform-led council instead proposed an east/west split. Despite the differing proposals for local government reorganisation, all councils in the county have jointly proposed a mayoral strategic authority for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Warwickshire Warwickshire is administered by
Warwickshire County Council and five non-metropolitan districts: •
North Warwickshire •
Nuneaton and Bedworth •
Rugby •
Stratford-on-Avon •
Warwick Proposals In October 2025, Warwickshire County Council voted to support a proposal for the entire county to become a single unitary authority, and for the county to apply to join the
West Midlands Combined Authority. An alternative proposal by the county's
Liberal Democrats would see Warwickshire divided into two unitary authorities on a north/south basis. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Warwickshire County Council and
Rugby Borough Council proposed a single unitary authority covering the whole of the existing county council area.
North Warwickshire Borough Council,
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council,
Stratford-on-Avon District Council, and
Warwick District Council proposed the following 2 council structure: • North Warwickshire: North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby • South Warwickshire: Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick Government consultation on these two proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026.
Worcestershire Worcestershire is administered by
Worcestershire County Council and six non-metropolitan districts: •
Worcester •
Malvern Hills •
Wyre Forest •
Bromsgrove •
Redditch •
Wychavon Proposals Two options were considered for Worcestershire: • One option would see all seven councils replaced with a single unitary authority. • The alternative would see the county divided into two unitary authorities on a north/south basis. Proposals to government were submitted by the following councils on 28 November 2025:
Worcestershire County Council and
Wyre Forest District Council proposed a single unitary authority covering the whole of the existing county council area.
Bromsgrove District Council,
Malvern Hills District Council,
Redditch Borough Council,
Worcester City Council, and
Wychavon District Council proposed the following 2 council structure: • North Worcestershire: Bromsgrove, Redditch, Wyre Forest • South Worcestershire: Malvern Hills, Worcester, Wychavon Government consultation on these two proposals ran from 5 February 2026 to 26 March 2026. ==Other proposals==