Written questions

Unitary Councils: Elections

Commons · Question 126129 · Tabled 10 Apr 2026 · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Official record

Answered 15 Apr 2026

Question

Asked by James McMurdock

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to his Department’s letter to Essex councils dated 26 March 2026, whether shadow councils will be permitted to decide whether to retain the all out election frequency, o

Answer

Answered by Alison McGovern, 15 Apr 2026

Subject to Parliamentary approval, new unitary councils are expected to take on full council functions from 1 April 2028, with elections to new shadow councils in May 2027. The scheme of elections for the new councils will be set out in the Structural Cha...