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LGPC - Areas We Cover Map

OPERATING AREA

Areas We Cover

LGPC is based in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, and advises public sector clients across Greater London, the South East, the East of England, the South West, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. Our work follows the pattern of local authority, housing association and education estate activity rather than a narrow postcode boundary. We take instructions where the matter requires specialist public sector property advice: estate strategy, asset reviews, land disposals, acquisition support, housing delivery, surplus education land, and Local Government Reorganisation-related estate planning.

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The page below sets out the current local government landscape across that footprint, together with the Local Government Reorganisation programme status across each area. Naming a council on this page reflects our coverage region; specific track record on a named instruction is set out separately in the recent instructions section of the About page and in capability statements available on request.

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As of May 2026, Surrey's reorganisation has been confirmed (decision announced October 2025; vesting day April 2027); Essex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Norfolk and Suffolk received their decisions on 25 March 2026 (vesting day April 2028); the Secretary of State did not take a decision on East Sussex, Brighton and Hove or West Sussex on that date, and a further technical consultation runs from 12 May to 15 June 2026 on a new four-unitary structure for the whole Sussex area; and the remaining fourteen reorganisation areas are awaiting ministerial decisions expected through summer 2026.

East Midlands

The East Midlands region comprises six ceremonial counties — Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland. Four of these areas have live LGR proposals awaiting ministerial decision; Northamptonshire and Rutland are already unitary.

Derbyshire and Derby

Derbyshire is two-tier with one neighbouring unitary, comprising ten councils:

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  • Derbyshire County Council

  • Amber Valley Borough Council

  • Bolsover District Council

  • Chesterfield Borough Council

  • Derbyshire Dales District Council

  • Erewash Borough Council

  • High Peak Borough Council

  • North East Derbyshire District Council

  • South Derbyshire District Council

  • Derby City Council (unitary)

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Five LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025, ranging from a single county-wide unitary to variants of a two-unitary northern/southern split. Consultation closed 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026.

Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland

The Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland reorganisation area covers two ceremonial counties (Leicestershire and Rutland) and ten councils overall:

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  • Leicestershire County Council

  • Blaby District Council

  • Charnwood Borough Council

  • Harborough District Council

  • Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council

  • Melton Borough Council

  • North West Leicestershire District Council

  • Oadby and Wigston Borough Council

  • Leicester City Council (unitary)

  • Rutland County Council (unitary)

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Three LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025, ranging from two- to three-unitary structures with varying treatments of the Leicester boundary. Decision expected summer 2026.

Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is two-tier with two existing unitaries, comprising ten councils overall:

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  • Lincolnshire County Council

  • Boston Borough Council

  • East Lindsey District Council

  • City of Lincoln Council

  • North Kesteven District Council

  • South Holland District Council

  • South Kesteven District Council

  • West Lindsey District Council

  • North Lincolnshire Council (unitary)

  • North East Lincolnshire Council (unitary)

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Four LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025, ranging from a two-unitary northern/southern split to a four-unitary structure with expanded Lincoln. Decision expected summer 2026.

Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire was unitarised in April 2021 following the failure of the former Northamptonshire County Council, and now comprises two unitary authorities:

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  • North Northamptonshire Council

  • West Northamptonshire Council

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Both councils are part of the proposed South Midlands mayoral strategic authority bid alongside Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

Nottinghamshire and Nottingham

Nottinghamshire is two-tier with one neighbouring unitary, comprising nine councils:

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  • Nottinghamshire County Council

  • Ashfield District Council

  • Bassetlaw District Council

  • Broxtowe Borough Council

  • Gedling Borough Council

  • Mansfield District Council

  • Newark and Sherwood District Council

  • Rushcliffe Borough Council

  • Nottingham City Council (unitary)

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Multiple LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025 with the councils unable to agree a single position. Decision expected summer 2026.

East of England

The East of England comprises six ceremonial counties — Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk have received LGR decisions; Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire are pending; Bedfordshire is already unitary.

Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire was unitarised in April 2009 and now comprises three unitary authorities:

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  • Bedford Borough Council

  • Central Bedfordshire Council

  • Luton Borough Council

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The current focus is on the proposed South Midlands mayoral strategic authority — an expression of interest submitted in early 2025 by Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire. A proposed strategic planning geography put forward by MHCLG covers Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

Cambridgeshire is two-tier with one neighbouring unitary, comprising seven councils overall:

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  • Cambridgeshire County Council

  • Cambridge City Council

  • East Cambridgeshire District Council

  • Fenland District Council

  • Huntingdonshire District Council

  • South Cambridgeshire District Council

  • Peterborough City Council (unitary)

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The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority already provides devolved governance across this footprint. Four LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025, ranging from two to three unitaries. Consultation closed 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026.

Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock

Essex's LGR decision was announced on 25 March 2026. The current structure of fifteen councils will be replaced by five new unitaries, with shadow elections in May 2027 and vesting day 1 April 2028.

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The current councils:

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  • Essex County Council

  • Basildon Borough Council

  • Braintree District Council

  • Brentwood Borough Council

  • Castle Point Borough Council

  • Chelmsford City Council

  • Colchester City Council

  • Epping Forest District Council

  • Harlow Council

  • Maldon District Council

  • Rochford District Council

  • Tendring District Council

  • Uttlesford District Council

  • Southend-on-Sea City Council (unitary)

  • Thurrock Council (unitary)

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The five new unitaries from 1 April 2028:

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  • West Essex (Epping Forest, Harlow, Uttlesford)

  • North East Essex (Braintree, Colchester, Tendring)

  • Mid Essex (Brentwood, Chelmsford, Maldon)

  • South West Essex (Basildon, Thurrock)

  • South East Essex (Castle Point, Rochford, Southend-on-Sea)

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The Greater Essex Combined County Authority will be coterminous with the ceremonial county.

Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire is the practice's home county. Eleven councils currently:

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  • Hertfordshire County Council

  • Broxbourne Borough Council

  • Dacorum Borough Council

  • East Herts District Council

  • Hertsmere Borough Council

  • North Herts District Council

  • St Albans City & District Council

  • Stevenage Borough Council

  • Three Rivers District Council

  • Watford Borough Council

  • Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

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Three LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025: a two-unitary option, a three-unitary option, and a four-unitary option. The consultation closed on 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026. Hertfordshire County Council has allocated £10 million of its 2026–27 budget to LGR transition work.

Norfolk

Norfolk's LGR decision was announced on 25 March 2026. The current structure of eight councils will be replaced by three new unitaries from 1 April 2028.

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Current councils:

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  • Norfolk County Council

  • Breckland District Council

  • Broadland District Council

  • Great Yarmouth Borough Council

  • King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council

  • North Norfolk District Council

  • Norwich City Council

  • South Norfolk District Council

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The three new unitaries from 1 April 2028 are West Norfolk, Greater Norwich and East Norfolk. The Norfolk and Suffolk Combined County Authority will cover both ceremonial counties.

Suffolk

Suffolk's LGR decision was announced on 25 March 2026. The current structure of six councils will be replaced by three new unitaries from 1 April 2028.

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Current councils:

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  • Suffolk County Council

  • Babergh District Council

  • East Suffolk District Council

  • Ipswich Borough Council

  • Mid Suffolk District Council

  • West Suffolk District Council

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The three new unitaries from 1 April 2028 are Western Suffolk, Central and Eastern Suffolk, and Ipswich and South Suffolk.

Greater London

Greater London is administered by the Greater London Authority (covering strategic functions, transport, planning and policing oversight) and 33 principal local authorities — 32 London boroughs plus the City of London Corporation. London is not within the LGR programme and there are no current proposals to alter its structure. The boroughs are:

Inner London

  • City of London Corporation

  • London Borough of Camden

  • Royal Borough of Greenwich

  • London Borough of Hackney

  • London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

  • London Borough of Islington

  • Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

  • London Borough of Lambeth

  • London Borough of Lewisham

  • London Borough of Southwark

  • London Borough of Tower Hamlets

  • London Borough of Wandsworth

  • City of Westminster

Outer London

  • London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

  • London Borough of Barnet

  • London Borough of Bexley

  • London Borough of Brent

  • London Borough of Bromley

  • London Borough of Croydon

  • London Borough of Ealing

  • London Borough of Enfield

  • London Borough of Haringey

  • London Borough of Harrow

  • London Borough of Havering

  • London Borough of Hillingdon

  • London Borough of Hounslow

  • Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

  • London Borough of Merton

  • London Borough of Newham

  • London Borough of Redbridge

  • London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

  • London Borough of Sutton

  • London Borough of Waltham Forest

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LGPC's recent London work includes the Northolt High School instruction with the London Borough of Ealing, where the practice identified 1.7 hectares of surplus land within the school site and structured a partnership with Network Homes that delivered 149 affordable homes alongside the school, with sustained Department for Education engagement throughout.

South East

The South East comprises nine ceremonial counties — Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex. Hampshire/Isle of Wight and Surrey have received LGR decisions; East and West Sussex are in further consultation; Kent and Oxfordshire are pending decision; Berkshire and Buckinghamshire are already unitary.

Berkshire

Berkshire was unitarised in 1998 and comprises six unitary authorities:

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  • Bracknell Forest Council

  • Reading Borough Council

  • Slough Borough Council

  • West Berkshire Council

  • Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

  • Wokingham Borough Council

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West Berkshire is involved cross-boundary in two of the three Oxfordshire LGR proposals. The Thames Valley councils submitted an expression of interest in December 2025 for a mayoral strategic authority covering Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Swindon.

Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

Buckinghamshire is fully unitary, comprising two authorities:

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  • Buckinghamshire Council (unitary since April 2020, created from the former county council and four district councils)

  • Milton Keynes City Council (unitary since 1997)

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Buckinghamshire Council has its own existing devolution deal, including provisions for adult education budget devolution from 2026–27. Milton Keynes is part of the South Midlands mayoral strategic authority bid. Buckinghamshire Council also appears in MHCLG's proposed strategic planning geography covering Oxfordshire, the Berkshire unitaries and Swindon.

East Sussex and Brighton and Hove

East Sussex is two-tier with one neighbouring unitary, comprising seven councils:

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  • East Sussex County Council

  • Eastbourne Borough Council

  • Hastings Borough Council

  • Lewes District Council

  • Rother District Council

  • Wealden District Council

  • Brighton and Hove City Council (unitary)

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The Secretary of State did not take a decision on the East and West Sussex proposals on 25 March 2026. A further technical consultation runs from 12 May to 15 June 2026 on a newly suggested four-unitary structure for the whole Sussex area. The Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority was established on 25 March 2026.

Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton

Hampshire's LGR decision was announced on 25 March 2026. The current structure of fifteen councils will be replaced by four new mainland unitaries (with the Isle of Wight remaining as a single unchanged unitary) from 1 April 2028.

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Current councils:

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  • Hampshire County Council

  • Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

  • East Hampshire District Council

  • Eastleigh Borough Council

  • Fareham Borough Council

  • Gosport Borough Council

  • Hart District Council

  • Havant Borough Council

  • New Forest District Council

  • Rushmoor Borough Council

  • Test Valley Borough Council

  • Winchester City Council

  • Portsmouth City Council (unitary)

  • Southampton City Council (unitary)

  • Isle of Wight Council (unitary)

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The four new mainland unitaries from 1 April 2028 are North Hampshire, Mid Hampshire, South West Hampshire and South East Hampshire. The Isle of Wight unitary remains unchanged. The Hampshire and the Solent Combined County Authority will cover all five resulting unitaries plus Isle of Wight.

Kent and Medway

Kent is two-tier with one neighbouring unitary, comprising fourteen councils:

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  • Kent County Council

  • Ashford Borough Council

  • Canterbury City Council

  • Dartford Borough Council

  • Dover District Council

  • Folkestone and Hythe District Council

  • Gravesham Borough Council

  • Maidstone Borough Council

  • Sevenoaks District Council

  • Swale Borough Council

  • Thanet District Council

  • Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council

  • Tunbridge Wells Borough Council

  • Medway Council (unitary)

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Five LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025, ranging from a single county-wide unitary including Medway, to three-, four- and five-unitary structures. Consultation closed 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026.

Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire is two-tier and comprises six councils:

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  • Oxfordshire County Council

  • Cherwell District Council

  • Oxford City Council

  • South Oxfordshire District Council

  • Vale of White Horse District Council

  • West Oxfordshire District Council

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Three LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025: a single county-wide unitary ("One Oxfordshire"); a two-unitary cross-boundary proposal joining four districts with West Berkshire; and a three-unitary proposal with internal boundary changes. Consultation closed 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026.

Surrey

Surrey's LGR decision was announced on 28 October 2025 on an accelerated timeline. The current structure of twelve councils will be replaced by two new unitaries, with shadow elections held on 7 May 2026 and vesting day 1 April 2027.

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Current councils:

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  • Surrey County Council

  • Elmbridge Borough Council

  • Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

  • Guildford Borough Council

  • Mole Valley District Council

  • Reigate and Banstead Borough Council

  • Runnymede Borough Council

  • Spelthorne Borough Council

  • Surrey Heath Borough Council

  • Tandridge District Council

  • Waverley Borough Council

  • Woking Borough Council

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The two new unitaries from 1 April 2027:

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  • West Surrey (Guildford, Runnymede, Spelthorne, Surrey Heath, Waverley, Woking)

  • East Surrey (Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley, Reigate and Banstead, Tandridge)

West Sussex

West Sussex is two-tier and comprises eight councils:

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  • West Sussex County Council

  • Adur District Council

  • Arun District Council

  • Chichester District Council

  • Crawley Borough Council

  • Horsham District Council

  • Mid Sussex District Council

  • Worthing Borough Council

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LGR is in further consultation alongside East Sussex and Brighton and Hove. The Sussex and Brighton Combined County Authority covers the whole ceremonial Sussex area.

South West

The South West comprises seven ceremonial counties — Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire — plus the Isles of Scilly. Most of the South West is already unitary. Devon and Gloucestershire have live LGR proposals pending decision.

Bristol and the West of England

The ceremonial county of Bristol is administered by a single unitary, with neighbouring unitaries forming the West of England Combined Authority:

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  • Bristol City Council (unitary)

  • Bath and North East Somerset Council (unitary)

  • South Gloucestershire Council (unitary)

  • North Somerset Council (unitary — joining the West of England Combined Authority in process)

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South Gloucestershire is outside the LGR invitation area and is not expected to undergo any structural change.

Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly

Cornwall has been a single unitary authority since 2009, with the Isles of Scilly as a separate sui generis authority:

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  • Cornwall Council (unitary)

  • Council of the Isles of Scilly

Devon, Plymouth and Torbay

Devon is two-tier with two neighbouring unitaries, comprising eleven councils:

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  • Devon County Council

  • East Devon District Council

  • Exeter City Council

  • Mid Devon District Council

  • North Devon Council

  • South Hams District Council

  • Teignbridge District Council

  • Torridge District Council

  • West Devon Borough Council

  • Plymouth City Council (unitary)

  • Torbay Council (unitary)

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Five LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025, ranging from three- to four-unitary structures with various treatments of Plymouth, Torbay and Exeter. Consultation closed 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026.

Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Dorset was reorganised in 2019 and comprises two unitary authorities:

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  • Dorset Council (unitary)

  • Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council (unitary)

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Dorset is not within the current LGR programme.

Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire is two-tier with one neighbouring unitary, comprising eight councils:

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  • Gloucestershire County Council

  • Cheltenham Borough Council

  • Cotswold District Council

  • Forest of Dean District Council

  • Gloucester City Council

  • Stroud District Council

  • Tewkesbury Borough Council

  • South Gloucestershire Council (unitary, outside the LGR invitation)

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Three LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025, ranging from a single county-wide unitary to two-unitary structures with varying treatments of Gloucester and Cheltenham. Consultation closed 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026.

Somerset

Somerset was reorganised in April 2023 and is now a single unitary authority, with Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset as separate adjacent unitaries:

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  • Somerset Council (unitary)

  • Bath and North East Somerset Council (unitary)

  • North Somerset Council (unitary)

Wiltshire and Swindon

Wiltshire was reorganised in 2009 and comprises two unitary authorities:

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  • Wiltshire Council (unitary)

  • Swindon Borough Council (unitary)

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Wiltshire is included in MHCLG's proposed strategic planning geography covering Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

West Midlands

The West Midlands region comprises six ceremonial counties — Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands metropolitan county and Worcestershire — plus the metropolitan borough councils that make up the West Midlands urban area.

Herefordshire

Herefordshire has been a single unitary authority since 1998:

  • Herefordshire Council (unitary)

Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin

Shropshire comprises two unitary authorities:

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  • Shropshire Council (unitary since 2009, created from the former county council and five districts)

  • Telford and Wrekin Council (unitary)

Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent

Staffordshire is two-tier with one neighbouring unitary, comprising ten councils:

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  • Staffordshire County Council

  • Cannock Chase District Council

  • East Staffordshire Borough Council

  • Lichfield District Council

  • Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council

  • South Staffordshire District Council

  • Stafford Borough Council

  • Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

  • Tamworth Borough Council

  • Stoke-on-Trent City Council (unitary)

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Multiple LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025. Consultation closed 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026.

Warwickshire

Warwickshire is two-tier and comprises six councils:

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  • Warwickshire County Council

  • North Warwickshire Borough Council

  • Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council

  • Rugby Borough Council

  • Stratford-on-Avon District Council

  • Warwick District Council

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LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025. Consultation closed 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026.

West Midlands metropolitan county

The West Midlands metropolitan county is administered by seven metropolitan borough councils and the West Midlands Combined Authority:

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  • Birmingham City Council

  • Coventry City Council

  • Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

  • Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

  • Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

  • Walsall Council

  • Wolverhampton City Council

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The metropolitan boroughs are not within the LGR programme.

Worcestershire

Worcestershire is two-tier and comprises seven councils:

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  • Worcestershire County Council

  • Bromsgrove District Council

  • Malvern Hills District Council

  • Redditch Borough Council

  • Worcester City Council

  • Wychavon District Council

  • Wyre Forest District Council

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LGR proposals were submitted on 28 November 2025, including a two-unitary structure. Consultation closed 26 March 2026 with the decision expected in summer 2026.

Contact

To discuss an instruction in any of the areas above, or to request a capability statement:

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Kane Lennon, Director, LGPC 

The Crocodile House, 9 Bridge Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2DE

01462 877778

enquiries@lgpc.org.uk

Contact us to discuss your needs

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