Local government reorganisation: decision letters to council leaders

On 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed OBE MP, sent letters to council leaders in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay outlining his decisions on proposed local government reorganisations. The letters specified which reorganisation plans would be implemented in each area, following an assessment of submitted proposals. The decision letters were issued to provide clarity on the structural changes to local governance arrangements, including potential mergers or the creation of new unitary authorities.

A correction was subsequently made to the decision letter for Torbay, addressing an error in the number of parishes listed under the remit of the proposed new Torbay unitary authority. The correction did not affect the Secretary of State’s decision to proceed with the reorganisation plan for Torbay, which remains unchanged. The error was identified during a review of the administrative details in the letter.

The reorganisation proposals were submitted by local councils and assessed by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to determine their alignment with government criteria for efficiency, service delivery, and local accountability. The decisions reflect the government’s commitment to streamlining local governance where deemed necessary. Affected councils have been notified of the next steps, including potential transitional arrangements and timelines for implementation.

The government has stated that these changes aim to improve the delivery of public services and reduce administrative duplication. The decision letters serve as formal confirmation of the reorganisation plans, with councils expected to prepare for the transition in accordance with the outlined decisions. Further guidance will be provided to support the affected areas during the implementation process.