Unitary authorities of England

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Script error: No such module "Sidebar". In England, a unitary authority or unitary council[1][2] is a type of local authority in which local government functions have been combined into a single local authority. Elsewhere in England, a two-tier system of local government is still used, where local government responsibilities are shared between county councils and district councils.

A district that is governed by a unitary authority is commonly referred to as a unitary authority area[3][4] or unitary area.[2][5] The terms unitary district and, for those which are coterminous with a former two-tier county council area, unitary county are also sometimes used.[6][7][8][9] The term unitary authority is also sometimes used to refer to the area governed, such as in the ISO 3166-2:GB standard defining a taxonomy for subdivisions of the UK,[10] and in colloquial usage.[11][12][13][14]

London boroughs, created in 1965[15], and metropolitan districts, created in 1974[16], became unitary authorities in 1986 following the abolition of the Greater London Council and metropolitan county councils.[17][18][11][19]

The City of London and the Isles of Scilly are unitary authorities, with each having a unique form of local governance.[17] The Council of the Isles of Scilly is a sui generis single-tier authority, created in 1890 and since 1930 has held the "powers, duties and liabilities" of a county council.[20] The City of London Corporation is also a sui generis local authority with similar functions.

In other (non-metropolitan) areas of England, unitary authorities are constituted under the Local Government Act 1992, which amended the Local Government Act 1972 to allow the existence of non-metropolitan counties that do not comprise multiple non-metropolitan districts. Most non-metropolitan unitary authorities were established during the 1990s, with more created in 2009 and 2019–23.

Non-metropolitan unitary authorities are usually constituted as a coterminous non-metropolitan district and non-metropolitan county. In Berkshire, they are instead constituted as a non-metropolitan district in the Royal county of Berkshire (Berkshire retained its status as a non-metropolitan county despite the abolition of Berkshire County Council).[21]

The size of the areas governed by non-metropolitan unitary authorities varies greatly. The authorities created in the 1990s are generally coterminous with one former two-tier district area and cover a single large town or city, while those created since 2009 generally cover larger areas, with some coterminous with an entire former two-tier county council area.

History

Background

The term "unitary authority" was first used in the Redcliffe-Maud Report in 1969 in its current sense of a local government authority which combines the functions of a county council and a district council.[22] Strictly speaking, the term does not necessarily mean a single level of local government within an area, because in some cases there are also parish councils in the same area.

Although the term was not applied to them, county boroughs between 1889 and 1974 were effectively unitary authority areas, that is, single-tier administrative units. Before 1889, local government authorities had different powers and functions, but from medieval times some cities and towns had a high degree of autonomy as counties corporate. Some smaller settlements also enjoyed some degree of autonomy from regular administration as boroughs or liberties.

The Local Government Act 1972 created areas for local government where large towns and their rural hinterlands were administered together. The concept of unitary units was abandoned with a two-tier arrangement of county and district councils in all areas of England, except the Isles of Scilly where the small size and distance from the mainland made it impractical. In 1986 a broadly unitary system of local government was introduced in the six metropolitan counties and Greater London, where the upper-tier authorities were abolished and their functions were split between central government, the borough councils and joint boards.[23]

1990s reform

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". A review in the 1990s was initiated to select non-metropolitan areas where new unitary authorities could be created.[24] The resulting structural changes were implemented between 1995 and 1998. Bristol, Herefordshire, the Isle of Wight and Rutland were established as counties of a single district; the county administration of Berkshire was dissolved, though the county legally preserved to retain for its territory its royal designation, and each of its district councils became unitary; the counties of Avon, Humberside and Cleveland were broken up to create several unitary authorities; and a number of districts were split off from their associated counties.[23] The changes caused the ceremonial counties to be defined separately, as they had been before 1974. The review caused 46 unitary authorities to be created.[23]

2009 changes

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". A further review was initiated in 2007 and was enacted in 2009. The review established Cornwall and Northumberland as counties of a single district; established unitary authorities in County Durham, Shropshire and Wiltshire covering the part of the county that was not already split off in the 1990s review; and divided the remainder of Bedfordshire and Cheshire into two unitary authority areas. The review caused nine unitary authorities to be created.

Further reform and 2019−2023 changes

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". In 2017, it was proposed that two unitary authority areas be formed to cover the ceremonial county of Dorset. One of the authorities would consist of the existing unitary authorities of Bournemouth, Poole and the two-tier district of Christchurch, the other would be composed of the remainder of the county.[25] In November 2017, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid stated that he was "minded to approve the proposals" and a final decision to implement the two unitary authority model was confirmed in February 2018. Statutory instruments for the creation of two unitary authorities, to be named Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and Dorset Council, have been made and shadow authorities for the new council areas were formed ahead of their creation on 1 April 2019.[26][27]

Buckinghamshire County Council and the two-tier districts of Aylesbury Vale, Chiltern, South Bucks, and Wycombe in Buckinghamshire were replaced by a single unitary authority known as Buckinghamshire Council on 1 April 2020. The existing unitary authority of Milton Keynes was not affected; from 1 April 2020, therefore, the ceremonial county of Buckinghamshire has been composed of two unitary authority areas.[28][29]

In March 2018, an independent report commissioned by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, proposed structural changes to local government in Northamptonshire. These changes would see the existing county council and district councils abolished and two new unitary authorities created in their place.[30] One authority, West Northamptonshire, would consist of the existing districts of Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire and the other authority, North Northamptonshire would consist of Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough districts.[31] This was confirmed in May 2019, with the new councils being created in April 2021.

In July 2021 the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced that in April 2023, the non-metropolitan counties of Cumbria, North Yorkshire and Somerset would be reorganised into unitary authority areas.[32] The new authorities, Cumberland, Westmorland and Furness, North Yorkshire Council and Somerset Council were first elected in May 2022 and formally assumed their powers on 1 April 2023.

English Devolution Bill

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The Labour Party returned to power following the 2024 general election, and in her Autumn budget statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves outlined that a forthcoming English Devolution Bill would include plans for "working with councils to move to simpler structures that make sense for their local areas", suggesting that a new round of local government reorganisation could be likely.[33][34]

In February 2025 Jim McMahon, the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution, wrote to all two-tier and unitary councils in England stating that all local government will move to a unitary system with new council areas having a target population of at least 500,000. Councils were invited to work together and submit an interim plan by 21 March 2025 and a final proposal for reorganisation by 28 November 2025.[35] Local elections in East Sussex, West Sussex, Essex, Thurrock, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Suffolk and Surrey were delayed in May 2025, to accommodate local reorganisation.[36]

Restructuring

The process of changing from a two-tier local government to a structure based on unitary authorities is called 'restructuring'. The Secretary of State responsible for local government invites proposals from local areas to restructure into unitary authorities, and the Secretary decides whether or not the change should be implemented. The restructuring is carried out by an Order. There are no examples in the UK of councils restructuring back into a two-tier system.[37]

Comparison

Unitary authorities combine the powers and functions that are delivered separately by the councils with two-tier governance. These functions are housing, waste management, waste collection, council tax collection, education, libraries, social services, transport, planning, consumer protection, licensing, cemeteries and crematoria. The breakdown of these services is as follows:[38]

Template:Table alignment

Service Two-tier Unitary authority
Non-metropolitan county Non-metropolitan district
Education File:Yes check.svg Yes File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes
Transport File:Yes check.svg Yes File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes
Housing File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes File:Yes check.svg Yes
Planning File:Yes check.svg Yes File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes
Planning applications File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes File:Yes check.svg Yes
Fire and public safety File:Yes check.svg Yes File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes
Social care File:Yes check.svg Yes File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes
Libraries File:Yes check.svg Yes File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes
Waste management File:Yes check.svg Yes File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes
Rubbish collection File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes File:Yes check.svg Yes
Recycling File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes File:Yes check.svg Yes
Trading standards File:Yes check.svg Yes File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes
Council Tax collections File:X mark.svg No File:Yes check.svg Yes File:Yes check.svg Yes

Criticism

Unitary government has been criticised for damaging local democracy. Opponents to unitary authority criticise the 'bigger is better' assumption and highlight that larger councils breed mistrust of councillors and reduction in public engagement and voter turnout. Outside the UK, multi-level local government is the prevailing system, with major towns normally having a local authority. The average size of a local authority in England is 170,000, three times that of Europe.[39]

Electoral arrangements

Electoral arrangements for unitary authorities are set-out within the act of Parliament or statutory instrument establishing the authority. Most unitary authorities in England are divided into a number of wards from which councillors are elected.

Eight unitary authorities are instead divided into electoral divisions: Cornwall, County Durham, Isle of Wight, North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Shropshire, Somerset, and Wiltshire – legally, these are continuing county councils gaining district council functions.[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] Buckinghamshire and Dorset unitary authorities were, however, established as new councils and divided into wards.[48][49]

List of current unitary authorities

Unitary authorities are usually named after a town, city, geographical area or county (historic and or ceremonial). With no effect on powers or functions, districts can be granted the status of royal borough, borough or city. A district having a charter is dependent on the charter's wording: as a charter trustee to a place in the district; having joint charter to the place and district or to the district itself.

Unitary authority area Council Land area[50] Population (2024) Density[50] Created Type Ceremonial county Strategic authority
(km2) (mi2) (/km2) (/mi2)
Barking and Dagenham[15] Barking and Dagenham London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Barnet[15] Barnet London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Barnsley[16] Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 South Yorkshire South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Bath and North East Somerset[51] Bath and North East Somerset Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Somerset West of England CA
Bedford[52] Bedford Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2009 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Bedfordshire None
Bexley[15] Bexley London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Birmingham[16] Birmingham City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Midlands West Midlands CA
Blackburn with Darwen[53] Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Lancashire Lancashire CCA
Blackpool[53] Blackpool Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Lancashire Lancashire CCA
Bolton[16] Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole[49] Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2019 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Dorset None
Bracknell Forest[21] Bracknell Forest Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district		 Berkshire None
Bradford[16] Bradford City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Yorkshire West Yorkshire CA
Brent[15] Brent London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Brighton and Hove[54] Brighton and Hove City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 East Sussex Sussex and Brighton CCA
Bristol[51] Bristol City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Bristol West of England CA
Bromley[15] Bromley London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Buckinghamshire[48] Buckinghamshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2020 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Buckinghamshire None
Bury[16] Bury Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Calderdale[16] Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Yorkshire West Yorkshire CA
Camden[15] Camden London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Central Bedfordshire[52] Central Bedfordshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2009 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Bedfordshire None
Cheshire East[55] Cheshire East Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2009 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Cheshire Cheshire and Warrington CA
Cheshire West and Chester[55] Cheshire West and Chester Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2009 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Cheshire Cheshire and Warrington CA
Cornwall[40] Cornwall Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2009 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Cornwall None
Coventry[16] Coventry City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Midlands West Midlands CA
Croydon[15] Croydon London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Cumberland[56] Cumberland Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2023 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Cumbria Cumbria CA
Darlington[57] Darlington Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 County Durham Tees Valley CA
Derby[58] Derby City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Derbyshire East Midlands CCA
Doncaster[16] Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 South Yorkshire South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Dorset[49] Dorset Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2019 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Dorset None
Dudley[16] Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Midlands West Midlands CA
County Durham[41] Durham County Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2009 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 County Durham North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
Ealing[15] Ealing London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
East Riding of Yorkshire[59] East Riding of Yorkshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 East Riding of Yorkshire Hull and East Yorkshire CA
Enfield[15] Enfield London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Gateshead[16] Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Tyne and Wear North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
Greenwich[15] Greenwich London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Royal Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Hackney[15] Hackney London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Halton[60] Halton Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Cheshire Liverpool City Region CA
Hammersmith and Fulham[15] Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Haringey[15] Haringey London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Harrow[15] Harrow London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Hartlepool[61] Hartlepool Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 County Durham Tees Valley CA
Havering[15] Havering London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Herefordshire[62] Herefordshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Herefordshire None
Hillingdon[15] Hillingdon London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Hounslow[15] Hounslow London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Isle of Wight[42] Isle of Wight Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1995 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Isle of Wight None
Isles of Scilly[20] Council of the Isles of Scilly Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1890 Sui generis local government area Cornwall None
Islington[15] Islington London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Kensington and Chelsea[15] Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Royal Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Kingston upon Hull[59] Hull City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 East Riding of Yorkshire Hull and East Yorkshire CA
Kingston upon Thames[15] Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Kirklees[16] Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Yorkshire West Yorkshire CA
Knowsley[16] Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Merseyside Liverpool City Region CA
Lambeth[15] Lambeth London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Leeds[16] Leeds City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Yorkshire West Yorkshire CA
Leicester[63] Leicester City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Leicestershire None
Lewisham[15] Lewisham London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Liverpool[16] Liverpool City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Merseyside Liverpool City Region CA
City of London[17] City of London Corporation Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 886 City,
Sui generis local government area		 City of London GLA
Luton[64] Luton Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Bedfordshire None
Manchester[16] Manchester City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Medway[65] Medway Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Kent None
Merton[15] Merton London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Middlesbrough[61] Middlesbrough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 North Yorkshire Tees Valley CA
Milton Keynes[66] Milton Keynes City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Buckinghamshire None
Newcastle-upon-Tyne[16] Newcastle City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Tyne and Wear North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
Newham[15] Newham London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
North East Lincolnshire[59] North East Lincolnshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Lincolnshire Greater Lincolnshire CCA
North Lincolnshire[59] North Lincolnshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Lincolnshire Greater Lincolnshire CCA
North Northamptonshire[67] North Northamptonshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2021 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Northamptonshire None
North Somerset[51] North Somerset Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Somerset None
North Tyneside[16] North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Tyne and Wear North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
North Yorkshire[43] North Yorkshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2023 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 North Yorkshire York and North Yorkshire CA
Northumberland[44] Northumberland County Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2009 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Northumberland North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
Nottingham[68] Nottingham City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Nottinghamshire East Midlands CCA
Oldham[16] Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Peterborough[69] Peterborough City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Cambridgeshire Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CA
Plymouth[70] Plymouth City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Devon None
Portsmouth[71] Portsmouth City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Hampshire None
Reading[21] Reading Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district		 Berkshire None
Redbridge[15] Redbridge London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Redcar and Cleveland[61] Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 North Yorkshire Tees Valley CA
Richmond upon Thames[15] Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Rochdale[16] Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Rotherham[16] Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 South Yorkshire South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Rutland[63] Rutland County Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Rutland None
Salford[16] Salford City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Sandwell[16] Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Midlands West Midlands CA
Sefton[16] Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Merseyside Liverpool City Region CA
Sheffield[16] Sheffield City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 South Yorkshire South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Shropshire[45] Shropshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2009 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Shropshire None
Slough[21] Slough Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district		 Berkshire None
Solihull[16] Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Midlands West Midlands CA
Somerset[46] Somerset Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2023 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Somerset None
South Gloucestershire[51] South Gloucestershire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Gloucestershire West of England CA
South Tyneside[16] South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Tyne and Wear North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
Southampton[71] Southampton City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Hampshire None
Southend-on-Sea[72] Southend-on-Sea City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Essex None
Southwark[15] Southwark London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
St Helens[16] St Helens Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Merseyside Liverpool City Region CA
Stockport[16] Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Stockton-on-Tees[61] Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 County Durham and North Yorkshire Tees Valley CA
Stoke-on-Trent[73] Stoke-on-Trent City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Staffordshire None
Sunderland[16] Sunderland City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Tyne and Wear North East Mayoral Strategic Authority
Sutton[15] Sutton London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Swindon[74] Swindon Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1997 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Wiltshire None
Tameside[16] Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Telford and Wrekin[75] Telford and Wrekin Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Shropshire None
Thurrock[72] Thurrock Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Essex None
Torbay[70] Torbay Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Devon Devon and Torbay CCA
Tower Hamlets[15] Tower Hamlets London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Trafford[16] Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Wakefield[16] Wakefield City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Yorkshire West Yorkshire CA
Walsall[16] Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Midlands West Midlands CA
Waltham Forest[15] Waltham Forest London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Wandsworth[15] Wandsworth London Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Warrington[60] Warrington Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Cheshire Cheshire and Warrington CA
West Berkshire[21] West Berkshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Non-metropolitan district Berkshire None
West Northamptonshire[67] West Northamptonshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2021 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Northamptonshire None
Westminster[15] Westminster City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1965 City,
Borough,
London Borough		 Greater London GLA
Westmorland and Furness[56] Westmorland and Furness Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2023 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Cumbria Cumbria CA
Wigan[16] Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Greater Manchester Greater Manchester CA
Wiltshire[47] Wiltshire Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 2009 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Wiltshire None
Windsor and Maidenhead[21] Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Royal borough,
Non-metropolitan district		 Berkshire None
Wirral[16] Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 Borough,
Metropolitan district		 Merseyside Liverpool City Region CA
Wokingham[21] Wokingham Borough Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1998 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district		 Berkshire None
Wolverhampton[16] Wolverhampton City Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1974 City,
Borough,
Metropolitan district		 West Midlands West Midlands CA
York[76] City of York Council Script error: No such module "convert". Template:English district population Script error: No such module "convert". 1996 City,
Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 North Yorkshire York and North Yorkshire CA

Future unitary authorities

Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote".

Secondary legislation was made on 9 March 2026 to reorganise local government in Surrey, creating two new unitary authorities. The first elections to the new shadow authorities were held on 7 May 2026, with vesting day on 1 April 2027.

Unitary authority area Council Population (2021) First election Created Type Ceremonial county Strategic authority
East Surrey[77] East Surrey Council 545,798 2026 2027 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Surrey None
West Surrey[77] West Surrey Council 657,309 2026 2027 Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county		 Surrey None

Former unitary authorities

Unitary authority area Council Created Dissolved Type Ceremonial county Replaced by
Bournemouth[78] Bournemouth Borough Council 1997 2019 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county 		Dorset Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Poole[78] Poole Borough Council 1997 2019 Borough,
Non-metropolitan district,
Non-metropolitan county 		Dorset Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

See also

References

Page Template:Reflist/styles.css has no content.

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ a b c Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ a b c d e f g Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Redcliffe-Maud Report I. vi 73, cited in Oxford English Dictionary Online, draft addendum February 2003, s.v. unitary. An earlier citation, in 1936, uses the term for the London County Council in the sense of an elected council for the whole of London.
  23. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Buckinghamshire unitary council plan gets go-ahead from BBC News
  29. ↑ The Buckinghamshire (Structural Changes) Order 2019
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Frequently Asked Questions on the structural reviews of Devon, Norfolk and Suffolk, Boundary Commission for England
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  52. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  60. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  61. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  62. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  63. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  64. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  65. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  66. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  67. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  68. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  69. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  70. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  71. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  72. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  73. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  74. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  75. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  76. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  77. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  78. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Script error: No such module "Navbox". Template:Former unitary authorities of England Script error: No such module "Navbox". Script error: No such module "Navbox".

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