Consultations launched for local government reorganisation in the East

01 December 2025

An aerial view of a town

Consultations are under way to shape the future of local government in parts of the East region

Details have now been confirmed for the local government reorganisation consultations in devolution priority areas. 

Within the East these involve:

These consultations will cover the proposals put forward by different groups of councils for how they would like to see the local area restructured. They will be running until 11 January and responses are welcome not only from councils but from wider stakeholders as well. 

Subject to Parliament's decisions, the consultation will help shape the final decisions in preparation for elections in May 2026.

Find out how to have your say and track the progress of this consultation below.

19 November 2025

Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock consultation opens

Braintree District Council, Essex County Council and Epping Forest District Council submitted a proposal for three unitary councils.

Thurrock Council submitted a proposal for four unitary councils.

Rochford District Council submitted a proposal for four unitary councils.

Basildon Borough Council, Brentwood Borough Council, Castle Point Borough Council, Chelmsford City Council, Colchester City Council, Harlow District Council, Maldon District Council, Southend-on-Sea City Council, Tendring District Council and Uttlesford District Council submitted a proposal for five unitary councils.

Take part in the consultation at: GOV.UK | Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock

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19 November 2025

Norfolk consultation opens

Norfolk County Council submitted a proposal for one unitary council.

South Norfolk District Council submitted a proposal for two unitary councils.

Breckland District Council, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, North Norfolk District Council, and Norwich City Council submitted a proposal for three unitary councils.

Take part in the consultation at: GOV.UK | Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Norfolk and Suffolk.

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19 November 2025

Suffolk consultation opens

Suffolk County Council submitted a proposal for one unitary council.

Babergh District Council, East Suffolk District Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council and West Suffolk District Council submitted a proposal for three unitary councils.

Take part in the consultation at: GOV.UK | Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Norfolk and Suffolk.

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19 November 2025

East Sussex and Brighton and Hove consultation opens

Eastbourne Borough Council, East Sussex County Council, Hastings Borough Council, Lewes District Council and Rother District Council submitted a proposal for one unitary council for the current East Sussex County footprint.

Brighton and Hove City Council submitted a proposal for five unitary councils on a pan-Sussex basis.

Take part in the consultation at: Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove and West Sussex.

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19 November 2025

West Sussex

West Sussex County Council submitted a proposal for one unitary council.

Arun District Council, Adur District Council, Chichester District Council, Crawley Borough Council, Horsham District Council, Mid-Sussex District Council and Worthing Borough Council submitted a proposal for two unitary councils.

Take part in the consultation at: GOV.UK | Consultation on Proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove and West Sussex.

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