People are being asked for their views on “the biggest shake-up of local government since the 1970s”, as seven councils merge.

Three options have been identified for creating new unitary councils across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough from April 2028.

It follows a national government requirement to replace the current district, county and city councils with simpler unitary councils.

A consultation has begun, including a survey and focus groups, to find out what matters most to local people and where they have the greatest connection.

The options include merging councils in a north-west and south-east grouping, a north and south grouping, or an east and west grouping.

Council leaders said in a joint statement: “The three options each contain two new unitary councils that would cover the entire Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area and replace all existing local authorities.”

The statement was issued by the leaders at East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council, Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council and Peterborough City Council.

The councils said they wanted to hear about “the connections that people feel they have to different areas”, such as where they work, socialise or receive healthcare.

The consultation also asks what priorities people expect from the new unitary authorities, and “what is important to them when dealing with local government”.

It is not just targeted at individual households but also businesses, community groups and town and parish councils.

The final decisions on which new local government structures are put into place in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will ultimately be made by national government.

Anna Bailey, leader of East Cambridgeshire District Council, urged people to have their say.

“Councils in Cambridgeshire are facing the biggest change to local government in over 50 years,” she said.

“While I very much support the idea of unitary councils, where residents can access all services from one council instead of two, I do not support the government’s move to larger, more remote structures

“We must make sure we do not take the ‘local’ out of local government.

“I would therefore urge all our residents, community groups, businesses, and everybody we work with, and for, to share their views and help us shape what the future looks like for our district.

We now want to hear the views of residents, prior to proposals being developed further and submitted to Government in November.

The survey asks people what is important in terms of services, what they would like to see delivered by their new unitary authority, and where in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough they visit to socialise, work or access health services. A series of focus groups are also being arranged.

We want to reach as many people as possible with the survey, enabling them to share their opinions and help inform the future of local government in the area. As well as alerting you to the survey for your own completion, we are therefore also asking if you could share information with your residents and any other interested groups, such as businesses and community organisations.

There is both a public survey and one that is tailored for stakeholders, and these are available here on HDC’s website. Hard copies are also available at the reception desk in Pathfinder House, Huntingdon. The survey will close at midnight on 20 July 2025.