Written question asked by Alicia Kearns (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 January 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 January 2025 (named day). It was answered by Jim McMahon (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 January 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Local Government: Reorganisation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the English Devolution White Paper, published on 16 December 2024, whether the Government has plans to allow referendums to authorise local authority merges.

Answer: It will be essential for councils to work with local partners, including MPs, to develop plans for sustainable unitary structures capable of delivering the high-quality public services that residents need and deserve. It is for councils to decide how best to engage locally in a meaningful and constructive way when developing their proposals. We will consult a range of stakeholders in areas where we receive proposals for reorganisation, as required by statute. I will write to local authorities in further detail, inviting proposals for local government reorganisation and setting out the criteria to be used to assess proposals, in due course.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 26085
Session: 2024-26
Related items: English Devolution White Paper: Power and Partnership: Foundations for Growth
Monday, 16 December 2024
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Local government Referendums Reorganisation
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk