We have backed the creation of a new unitary Council for Greater Cambridge and another for North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. We've sent a detailed proposal [PDF, 23MB] to Government.
In December 2024, the national Government set out plans to move towards a new system of local government, abolishing all ‘two-tier’ areas in England. That means that the below councils in Cambridgeshire will be replaced by a number of unitary authorities:
- Cambridge City Council
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Fenland District Council
- Huntingdonshire District Council
- Peterborough City Council
- South Cambridgeshire District Council
From April 2028, rather than dealing with separate county, city, and district authorities, residents will access all services - from road maintenance and bin collections to education, planning, social housing, social care, and support with benefits - through a unitary council.
Where areas have parish and town councils, these will not be affected and will continue to operate as they do now.
A new unitary council for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire
Three Cambridgeshire councils have now backed the creation of a new unitary Council for Greater Cambridge and another for North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – with local leaders saying they offer financial security, deliver up to £43 million savings a year and respect local identities.
- North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – serving around 612,000 people in East Cambridgeshire, Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough.
- Greater Cambridge – serving around 322,000 people in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.
A detailed proposal making the case for these two new unitaries [PDF, 23MB] has been produced through close working between Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council, as well as other councils in Cambridgeshire. That detailed proposal has now been submitted to Government by South Cambridgeshire District Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council.
This detailed proposal is supported by several appendices:
- Appendix 1: Glossary
- Appendix 2: Financial analysis and modelling
- Appendix 3: Detailed options appraisal
- Appendix 4: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough countywide survey results
- Appendix 5: East Cambridgeshire survey results
- Appendix 6: The future of Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire survey results
- Appendix 7: Inner Circle Consulting: Case for Cities report
- Appendix 8: Pixel - Financial modelling and reporting
- Appendix 9: Newton - People Services report
- Appendix 10: Red Quadrant - Future of social care and public health report
- Appendix 11: PPL - Advice note on housing and homelessness
- Appendix 12: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough People Services overview
- Appendix 13: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Local Government Reorganisation omparative implications for people services to 2040
- Appendix 14: Transport to work areas - Further analysis
- Appendix 15: Implementation risk log
- Appendix 16: Equalities Impact Assessment
Why Cambridge City, East Cambridgeshire District and South Cambridgeshire District councils believe option B is best
- Financial security: Independent analysis shows option B is the most financially sustainable option of the proposals developed by local councils this year. It would save up to £43 million a year, more than three times the saving of other options developed locally, paying back the cost of change in just four years. Future savings will be reinvested in frontline services, as residents have called for.
- Fairness for all: Option B creates two councils that are the right size to meet local needs, for both urban and rural communities. It avoids the risk of one area being left behind and ensures resources are shared fairly.
- Respect for local identity: The new councils will reflect historic communities and keep decision-making close to residents.
- Supports growth and jobs: Each council will focus on its strengths. Greater Cambridge has a world-leading science and tech economy and is a geography that directly aligns with the Government’s ambitions for the area, whilst North Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is an industrial and agricultural powerhouse – creating more jobs and homes for its market towns and cities.
- Future-proofed: Option B meets government’s tests for financial resilience, economic balance, and sustainable public services better than any other option.
- Residents agree: In a recent survey of Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire residents, 63.5% of respondents supported option B because it offers the best chance of delivering simpler, stronger councils that care about local communities, and in a survey of East Cambridgeshire residents a majority of respondents also supported option B.
- Better services: Residents told the councils they want councils that are easier to contact, more responsive, and focused on frontline services. Option B delivers that.
- Simpler, stronger councils: One council for your area means less confusion and quicker decisions.