Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what Local Government Boundary Commission for England guidance they will have regard to when considering submissions from individual councils on the proposed new unitary councils' (1) external boundaries, (2) number of councillors, (3) size of wards, and (4) distribution of wards; and whether this issue will be in scope of their review announced on 7 September.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England is independent of Government and accountable to Parliament. It reviews electoral and boundary arrangements for councils in England, including councillor numbers and the size and distribution of wards. The Commission can only conduct an electoral review once an authority exists in law. Where new councils are established, interim electoral arrangements will be included in the structural changes order. The Government will have regard to the Commission's published guidance on electoral reviews.

I refer the Noble Lord to the Secretary of State's oral statement of 7 September 2026. The Government has withdrawn the March 2026 decisions for Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and paused activity in 14 areas while a full review of the local government reorganisation programme is conducted. We recognise the need for clarity and will set out next steps as soon as possible.