Councils across Cambridgeshire are considering whether to postpone their scheduled Spring 2026 local elections following an invitation from central government linked to the ongoing reorganisation of local government.
The Government has written to several authorities, including Peterborough City Council, asking them to set out their views on delaying next year’s elections until 2027.
Ministers have indicated they would be prepared to agree to a delay where councils believe it would release essential capacity to help deliver Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
Councils have until midnight on Thursday, 15 January to submit their responses. The Secretary of State would then decide whether to make an order postponing elections for one year for those authorities that raise concerns. Town and parish council elections would continue as normal.
Peterborough City Council will now be considering its response in relation to the forthcoming elections scheduled for May 2026, when 18 councillors would normally face election across the city. Those seats span a wide range of wards and political representation.
Councillor Shabina Qayyum, leader of Peterborough City Council, said the authority welcomed the opportunity to outline its position to government.
“We welcome the opportunity to set out our views to Government on the postponement of a local election in Spring 2026, to free up essential capacity to get on with the job of LGR,” she said.
“It is a busy time for all councils in England and Wales with the LGR fast approaching, which is a fundamental change to how councils will operate and the geographical areas they will serve.
“We will now be spending time with both officers and our councillors to consider what is best for Peterborough, to go ahead with an election in 2026, or to postpone to 2027.”
Peterborough already operates as a unitary authority, but under government proposals all new unitaries should serve populations of around 500,000 people. With a population of just over 220,000, the city is expected to be included in a larger authority under the reorganisation plans.
Elsewhere in the county, Cambridge City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council and Huntingdonshire District Council are also scheduled to hold elections in 2026 and are considering the government’s offer.
A spokesperson for Cambridge City Council said the authority acknowledged the government’s position and would need time to reflect on the implications before reaching a view in the New Year.
Cambridgeshire’s councils have already submitted their preferred options for reorganisation to central government following months of debate.
Five possible models were considered, ranging from two to three new unitary authorities, with differing levels of support among councils.
A public consultation on the proposals is expected to take place in early 2026. Once feedback has been gathered, central government is expected to announce its final decision ahead of the parliamentary summer recess.
Elections to the new unitary authorities are expected in May 2027, with the new councils formally coming into operation on 1 April 2028.
Peterborough councillors facing election in May 2026
A total of 18 Peterborough City Councillors would normally face election in May 2026. The councillors and wards are:
Scott Warren (Conservative) – Bretton
Alison Jones (Labour) – Central
Dennis Jones (Independent) – Dogsthorpe
Samantha Hemraj (Labour) – East
Rylan Ray (Not specified) – Eye, Thorney and Newborough
Christian Hogg (Liberal Democrat) – Fletton and Stanground
Alan Dowson (Labour) – Fletton and Woodston
Andrew Bond (Liberal Democrat) – Gunthorpe
Marco Cereste (Conservative) – Hampton Vale
Mohammed Farooq (Peterborough First) – Hargate and Hempsted
Noreen Bi (Labour) – North
Michael Perkins (Conservative) – Orton Longueville
Julie Stevenson (Independent) – Orton Waterville
Muhammad Sabir (Labour) – Park
Asif Shaheed (Liberal Democrat) – Paston and Walton
Mohammed Rangzeb (Green) – Ravensthorpe
Ray Bisby (Peterborough First) – Stanground South
Sarah Hillier (Peterborough First) – Werrington
