National Government is making fundamental changes to the way local government is structured. This is a once in a generation change, as the last time this happened was in the 1970s.
All district and county councils in England will be abolished and replaced with the new unitary councils. This will significantly change the way your local services are delivered.
You can read the full government Devolution White Paper, or you can read some frequently asked questions about devolution and Local Government Reorganisation on the Local Government Association’s website.
What will happen in East Cambridgeshire
The truth is we don’t know any of the detail yet, but it is likely we will be merged with other neighbouring councils to make a larger unitary authority that delivers both district and county services.
East Cambridgeshire District Council currently serves a population of 90,000. Under the proposals the new unitary authority is likely to serve a population of 500,000.
What this could mean
A unitary authority will:
- cover a larger geographical area
- cover a larger population
- offer all district and county services from one council – everything from social care, education and potholes to planning, housing and waste collection
- mean a possible increase in Council Tax for East Cambs residents
- have less councillors covering bigger areas
- services will be less localised
What the district council is doing now
Whilst we cannot influence the decision to abolish district and county councils, we can make sure we help to provide the best possible alternative for our residents, our communities and the new unitary authority.
Between now and 7 March 2025 we are running a survey to ask residents what is important to them in East Cambridgeshire.
Results will be used to help formulate an outline proposal for creating a new unitary authority, which all councils have been asked to submit to government by 21 March 2025.
This is the first of many conversations we will be having with residents over the next 3 years.
Take our Have Your Say East Cambs survey
