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Abolition of district councils

EDM (Early Day Motion) 786: tabled on 11 February 2025

Tabled in the 2024-25 session.

This motion has been signed by 5 Members. It has not yet had any amendments submitted.

Motion text

That this House notes with concern the Government's proposals as outlined in the English Devolution White Paper to abolish district councils across England; acknowledges that the Government has no electoral mandate to implement such sweeping changes to local governance as it was not in the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto; further notes the lack of evidence supporting claims that these proposals will result in cost savings or more efficient decision-making processes for local communities; believes that this plan would remove crucial decision-making powers from local communities, significantly reduce the number of councillors representing local interests, and instead concentrate power into the hands of a small number of elected Mayors with authority over vast geographical areas; asserts that the abolition of district councils would undermine the principles of local democracy by distancing decision-making from those it directly affects; calls on the Government to reconsider these proposals and engage meaningfully with local stakeholders to ensure that any devolution plans truly empower communities rather than dilute their influence; and urges all hon. Members to advocate for a model of local governance that maintains local accountability, local accessibility, and local effectiveness.