A significant redesign of local government in England is underway, with proposals to merge district councils and enhance powers for elected mayors. The initiative aims to simplify governance and improve service delivery, but faces opposition from district councils fearing loss of local decision-making. The government’s upcoming paper will detail ambitions for unitary councils, reflecting a shift in local governance strategy not seen since the 1970s. While some see potential benefits for economic growth, concerns about disruption and inefficiency remain.