Cambridgeshire and Peterborough leaders have responded to government proposals for local government reorganisation with a clear message: they’re open to change, but it must be right for residents and financially sound.
In a letter to the Minister of State for Local Government, council leaders said they are working together constructively, despite differing views on the reforms. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough is the only Mayoral Combined Authority with both a two-tier system and a unitary authority, making it a unique case.
The leaders have formed working groups and are building a shared evidence base to explore potential unitary council scenarios. However, they made it clear that not all councils would have chosen this path—but accept that it’s the direction they must now consider.
The letter highlighted growing pressures on local services, including children’s social care, adult services, and housing. Leaders warned that upcoming changes to funding rules—such as the end of the high needs block override and the business rates reset—could make these challenges even harder to manage.
The region includes both fast-growing cities like Cambridge and Peterborough, and some of the most deprived areas in England, such as parts of Fenland. Leaders said any reorganisation must reflect this economic and social diversity.
They also raised concerns about the impact on democratic accountability. Reducing the number of council leaders under a new structure, they argued, could weaken local representation, especially if the Mayoral Combined Authority becomes a more centralised Strategic Mayoral Authority.
As local elections approach, leaders say they’ll continue reviewing the options and will return to detailed planning after May. They welcome further talks with the government but stress that any proposals must be backed by strong evidence, community input, and financial sustainability.
“Not all of us would have chosen this path,” the letter states, “but we accept that it is the path we are on.”
