The creation of new unitary authorities in the South of England is due to cost councils millions of pounds.
Local government reorganisation (LGR) plans to create ‘mega councils’ in place of county and district councils will reportedly amount to over £12m over two years.
Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from ITV News Meridian revealed that local authorities in Essex, Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight councils have set aside £11.22m for 2025/26 to fund the move, with £1.05m having been spent on LGR costs in 2024/25.
The plans will involve powers being transferred to new mayors, while reducing the number of councillors in each area.
Cllr Paul Harvey, the leader of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council is said to have confirmed that the Government has provided ‘some money to help along the way’.
‘We would like more… because these are not easy things to do’, he added. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: ‘We have provided councils in Sussex £1.99bn in 25/26 in Core Spending Power.
‘By abolishing two-tier local government across England we will set up strong unitary councils that will grow the economy and help local leaders get things done.
‘This means better value for money for taxpayers and better public services for local residents across the South East.’
Want to learn more about local government reorganisation? Check out: Local Government Reorganisation: What It Means and Why It Matters.
