Final days to share views on local government reorganisation
With just two days remaining until the Government’s consultation on local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough closes, residents, businesses and community organisations are being urged to find out more about Option B and have their say.
Option B is the proposal backed by Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire District and South Cambridgeshire District councils. The Government is consulting on four options for reorganising Cambridgeshire’s seven existing councils into two or three new unitary councils.
This would replace the current two-tier system with fewer, larger unitary councils responsible for all local services, from housing and planning to waste, roads and social care.
What Option B proposes
Option B would reorganise the area into two new unitary councils:
- A Greater Cambridge council for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire
- A North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough council for East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough
The three supporting councils believe this structure reflects existing economic geographies while ensuring strong, balanced local leadership.
Why the councils support Option B
Option B is considered the strongest and most ambitious proposal by the three councils because:
- Both new councils would be financially secure, with anticipated savings of £43 million a year. Savings would be reinvested to improve front line services across the region. This level of ambition is significantly higher than other proposals.
- The two councils would represent areas with different strengths but economic balance, helping to avoid a north south divide.
- A Greater Cambridge unitary would enable closer collaboration between key institutions including the Biomedical Campus, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Anglia Ruskin University, science parks and the University of Cambridge.
- North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough would benefit from greater scale, increased funding potential and stronger ability to commission services to address local needs.
- Existing partnerships would be aligned, including shared services and the joint Local Plan between Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.
- The rural nature of the northern unitary would support more tailored local engagement, ensuring services reflect the needs of individual communities.
What council leaders are saying
Cllr Cameron Holloway, Leader of Cambridge City Council, said:
“We now have very limited time left in this consultation, and we’re keen that people understand the Local Government Reorganisation process and the benefits that Option B could bring. This is an opportunity to shape modern, responsive councils that reflect our communities and economies.”
Cllr Anna Bailey, Leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, said:
“Option B remains the strongest and most ambitious proposal. With only a few days to go, I’m encouraging everyone to review the options and share their views while they still can.”
Cllr Bridget Smith, Leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, added:
“With the consultation closing shortly, this is a rare opportunity to influence how public services are delivered in the future. I urge residents and stakeholders to take part.”
How to take part
Residents and organisations are encouraged to read more about Option B and respond to the Government’s consultation before it closes on 26 March. Access the consultation online.
Following the consultation, the Government will decide which option to implement. New unitary councils are expected to begin operating in shadow form from May 2027, with full services transferring in April 2028.