Decision on major reform of Peterborough and Cambridgeshire councils delayed AGAIN

The Government has today announced that it has not yet been able to make a decision on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough was among the regions which could have seen smaller councils merge to create larger unitary authorities under Labour's Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

A decision on how the councils would merge had been expected earlier this year – but it was delayed in September and it has been delayed again today (October 29).

Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, Councillor Lucy Nethsingha, said: “This is a bitter disappointment and once again shows we have a Government incapable of making decisions or following through on its own policies. Cambridgeshire and Peterborough were already stuck in ‘LGR limbo’ and to simply extend that further beggars believe.

"Continued uncertainty simply creates increased risks, prevents us from making long-term plans and all at a time when the demand for and the costs of providing council services are rising.

“In particular, the anxiety and uncertainty that this creates for the hard-working staff in the 7 councils in this area is intolerable.

“We risk being unable to retain and recruit good people, we risk being unable to plan financially over the longer term and we risk being forced into making more short-term procurement and contract decisions, all because this Government can’t get its act together.

“Our residents and communities deserve better; our staff deserve better and the democratically elected councillors across this area deserve better.

“This Government may have changed Prime Minister, but it remains firmly mired in chaos. Yes, decisions have consequences, but indecision, dither and delay also has consequences, in this case for local public services, the people we employ and the people who rely on us.

“Despite this further indecision, we will remain our focussed upon delivering our services for residents and communities and doing the very best for Cambridgeshire, while once again waiting on the Government."

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow, said: “Yet again, the Government has delayed a decision on local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with an update now promised next year. After months of uncertainty, residents, councillors and council staff deserve better.

“The Government needs to answer a straightforward question: does it want to change how councils are structured in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, or not? If it does, it needs to get on with it. If it has doubts, it should explain them openly rather than leave people guessing.

“Other parts of the country are getting certainty about their future. There is no good reason why Cambridgeshire and Peterborough should be left behind. I will be pressing the Government to end the delays, set out a clear timetable and give local people the answers they deserve.”

What options are on the table?

Here is a reminder of the four options that were submitted to government and which councils backed which option.

Cambs and Peterborough LGR options

Option A – Two unitary authorities (backed by the Liberal Democrat led Cambridgeshire County Council)

– North West: Peterborough, Fenland, Huntingdonshire

– South East: East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire, Cambridge City

Option B – Two unitary authorities (backed by the Labour minority led Cambridge City Council, now Conservative led East Cambs District Council and Liberal Democrat led South Cambs District Council)

– North Cambridgeshire: Peterborough, Fenland, Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire

– Greater Cambridge: Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire

Option D – Three unitary authorities (backed by former Labour led Peterborough City Council which is now a coalition and Conservative led Fenland District Council)

– Greater Peterborough: Peterborough, West Huntingdonshire

– Mid Cambridgeshire: Fenland, East Huntingdonshire, East Cambridgeshire

– Greater Cambridge: Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire

Option E – Three unitary authorities (backed by Liberal Democrat and independent led Huntingdonshire District Council)

– North East: Peterborough, Fenland, East Cambridgeshire

– Huntingdonshire: Huntingdonshire

– Greater Cambridge: Cambridge City, South Cambridgeshire