South Cambs District (SCDC) Councillor Report October 2025
Update on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
The LGR is the government’s plan to reorganise local authorities into unitary bodies which will replace the current district, county and city councils. The changes will mean that residents will get all of their council services – for example, bin collections, housing support, roads maintenance or social care – through one organisation.
The seven councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have been working collaboratively since December 2024 to identify viable options for the new unitary authorities, and the results of a countywide engagement survey has just been published. The feedback from this survey will help to inform how councils are to be structured from April 2028, when the Government’s requirement for LGR is due to take effect.
The survey revealed a strong appetite for reorganisation if it results in improved services (84% of responses). Respondents were clear that reorganisation must safeguard rural representation and identity as well as deliver tangible benefits, such as investing in services and being quicker to respond. They said that the unitary councils’ top three priorities should be having local councillors who understand their area, simplifying access to services, and increasing the transparency and accountability of local government decision-making.
Residents highlighted several strengths and weaknesses in the current system and highlighted several areas for improvement. 61% said councillors knew their local area well, and 55% said that councils perform well when dealing with online transactions. Just over half said councils did not perform well in relation to being transparent and accountable and 46% said councils did not perform well in terms of reducing the costs of delivering services. The ‘one stop shop’ unitary council model was supported in principle, but many were concerned about maintaining local knowledge.
The business cases now being developed by the councils must be submitted by the Government’s deadline of 28 November. The Government will then consult further before it ultimately makes a final decision on which arrangements will be put into place.
To read the survey summary reports, visit https://www.scambs.gov.uk/about-your-council/local-government-reorganisation/joint-engagement-with-other-local-councils-and-three-options
In the meantime, some of the seven councils are conducting further engagement work on their preferred option, such as SCDC’s preference for a Greater Cambridge Unitary. SCDC’s case and a link to its survey can be found here: https://engage.scambs.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/future-councils
Consultation on proposed changes to Council Tax support
Each year SCDC considers whether or not it should change the Council Tax Support scheme for working age applicants in the district. The council has put together a number of proposals on which it would welcome the input of residents and other stakeholders, and a public consultation has just been launched to do this. The changes (which would come into effect from 1st April 2026) aim to streamline administration, improve efficiency and align with other local authorities to prepare for future changes to local government.
In brief, the proposed changes are to:
• Change the levels of discount available and change the income levels used to determine the level of support awarded to simplify the scheme
• Extend the period which an application for support can be backdated
• Make changes to the level of non-dependant deductions
• Align the amounts allowed in relation to both Carer’s premium and Disability Premium
• Use the Universal Credit award notification received from the Department for Work and Pensions as both application and award date for Council Tax Support
A fuller explanation and link to the consultation can be found here:
https://www.scambs.gov.uk/news/have-your-say-on-the-local-council-tax-support-scheme
A finalised scheme based on the outcomes of the consultation will be presented to a Full Council meeting in February – when Councillors will decide whether to adopt it.
Local Climate Action Conference
SCDC is hosting the third annual Local Climate Action Conference on Friday 17 October 2025 from 12pm to 5pm at Storey’s Field Centre, Eddington. This event is open to parish councils, community groups, charities and anyone interested in tackling climate change and enhancing biodiversity. There will also be an opportunity to input into the upcoming Climate and Nature strategy consultation and learn about different climate-friendly initiatives around the district. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. If you wish to attend, please enrol via this link: https://forms.office.com/e/DKWNNDkxfF
Bill
Bill Handley
District Councillor for Over and Willingham
Phone: 01954 200287 (leave a message). Email: cllr.handley@scambs.gov.uk
