Local Government Reorganisation paused: what it means for the South East

08 September 2026 | SEE Team

The Government has announced a rapid review of the Local Government Reorganisation programme, bringing significant changes for councils across the South East.

Following updated legal advice received during judicial review proceedings, the Government has announced a rapid review of the Local Government Reorganisation programme. The review will reconsider decisions made so far and examine how proposed changes fit with the Government's wider plans for local government reform and devolution.

Although this changes the immediate picture for many councils, the Government has stressed that reform has not been abandoned. Instead, this is being presented as a pause to review the current approach. Below, we explain what has been announced, which areas are affected, and what it could mean for councils across the South East.

A map of the South East region with a pause button over the top

At a glance: LGR decisions affecting much of the South East have been withdrawn or paused for review. Surrey is unaffected and remains on track for April 2027.

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What has been announced?

The Government has withdrawn the LGR decisions made in March 2026 for:

Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton
Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock
Norfolk
Suffolk

These decisions will now be considered afresh as part of the wider review.

Decisions announced in July 2026 for a further 14 areas have also been paused and placed under review. Within the South East, these include:

East Sussex and Brighton and Hove
Kent and Medway
Oxfordshire and West Berkshire

West Sussex, where a final decision had not yet been taken, will also be considered as part of the review.

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What does this mean for Surrey?

The reorganisation of Surrey is not included in the review.

East Surrey Council and West Surrey Council are already established in law, councillors were elected in May 2026, and both councils remain on track to go live on 1 April 2027.

This means the South East now faces a varied picture. Surrey will continue towards vesting day, while LGR activity elsewhere across the region is paused or subject to reconsideration.

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What happens next?

The Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth has been asked to lead a rapid review of the programme.

The review will cover the decisions withdrawn for the four areas, including Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the 14 areas where decisions have been paused, and the two areas where decisions had not yet been reached.

The Secretary of State has said that the review will be undertaken at pace, with the intention that it should take weeks rather than months. However, a firm completion date has not yet been provided. The Government has committed to updating Parliament at the earliest opportunity.

The review is expected to consider:

The legal robustness of the decision-making process
Whether existing proposals align with the new administration’s priorities
The evidence supporting the proposed structures and boundaries
Local representations and concerns
How local government reform can support better services, sustainable councils and wider devolution

During the parliamentary debate, the Secretary of State confirmed that boundaries and other elements of the previous proposals could be considered again. Ministers and officials will engage with councils, MPs and other local representatives as the review progresses.

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What does this mean for elections?

The Government has confirmed that local elections scheduled for May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries while the review is undertaken.

Further clarity will be needed on the practical implications, including the length of office for councillors elected in May 2027 if LGR subsequently proceeds. This was raised repeatedly during the parliamentary debate but was not resolved.

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Is LGR being cancelled?

The Government’s position is that LGR has not been cancelled.

The Secretary of State repeatedly emphasised that the Government remains committed to local government reform and to exploring the creation of unitary councils during this Parliament.

However, the final outcome of the review cannot be anticipated. Existing proposals could be reinstated, revised or replaced, and the position may differ between areas.

For Hampshire, the distinction is particularly important. The previous decision to implement five unitary councils has been withdrawn, rather than simply paused. However, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton remain within the rapid review, and the Government has said that it remains committed to considering local government reform in the area.

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Will devolution continue?

The Government has drawn a distinction between LGR and devolution, confirming that the review should not affect the wider devolution timetable.
Its ambition remains for every part of England to have, or be in the process of establishing, a strategic authority by the end of 2027, with strategic authorities in place everywhere by the end of 2028.
Unitary local government may support the operation of strategic authorities, but the Secretary of State confirmed that it is not a prerequisite for devolution. Councils will therefore be looking for further detail on how devolution proposals can continue while decisions about local government structures are reviewed.

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Recognising the work already undertaken

Councils across the South East have invested considerable time, expertise and capacity in preparing for LGR. This has involved developing proposals, assessing different geographies, modelling financial implications, engaging with communities and partners, planning future operating models and considering the significant workforce and governance implications of change.
The Secretary of State acknowledged the scale of this work and said it had not been wasted. The Government has also confirmed that transitional funding remains available and has advised councils with concerns about costs to contact the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Much of the work completed to date will continue to have value. Better data, stronger relationships, greater understanding of service dependencies and more detailed analysis of organisational resilience will remain relevant, whatever the review concludes.

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Supporting councils across the South East

We recognise that this announcement creates another period of uncertainty for council leaders, members, officers, employees and partners across the region.

There will be immediate questions about programme teams, resources, recruitment, governance arrangements, communications and work already under way. Councils will need to consider carefully which activities should pause, what can continue safely and where further government guidance is required.

We are closely monitoring the review and the implications for each area across the South East. We will continue to:

Review government announcements and guidance
Engage with councils and partners across the region
Share any updates we get
Identify common concerns and emerging priorities
Support councils as they manage the practical and workforce implications
Provide opportunities for colleagues to connect through our networks, share learning and work through the challenges together

Although the timescale and eventual outcome remain uncertain, councils do not need to navigate this period alone.

Our focus will remain on helping colleagues make sense of the changing position, maintain organisational resilience and be ready to respond when the Government provides further clarity.
We will keep councils and partners informed as the review progresses and share further insight on what the announcement means for leadership, governance, workforce planning and transition activity across the South East.