Local Government Re-organisation faces further delays

The government has announced further delays to nine of 14 major council mergers, with only five now going ahead. Local Government Minister Jim McMahon has told MPs the review had found the government's decision-making to be "robust", but nine areas including Staffordshire have now been withdrawn for further review. Reconfirming local elections in May 2027 would go ahead on existing council boundaries, he announced plans for elections to shadow councils, set to run for a year before taking over from old authorities, will now be held in May 2028