What happens next? How the transition will be managed

The existing councils will continue working together to prepare for the transfer of services to the new councils.

The government will lay the legislation necessary to make the change. This is called the Structural Changes Order. It will set out the new councils and how the transition will work.  

Joint committees will be formed of councillors from existing councils to start preparing the transition to the new councils. They will be in place until May 2027.

Elections are held for the new unitary councils. The newly elected councillors will then be able to start making decisions on the new councils. This is called the ‘shadow authority’ because they will run alongside the existing councils for a year. The shadow authorities will not deliver services. They will focus on preparing for the future councils.

The new councils will set up everything they need to take on the running of services. The existing councils will work closely with the new councils to manage the transfer and any changes needed.

The new unitary councils start running services on what is called vesting day.