The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring ceremonial rights and privileges are maintained where local government reorganisation proposals are taken forward, and there are established mechanisms for doing so.

Many ceremonial matters can be preserved through existing general regulations, including arrangements for the transfer of aldermanic rights and privileges and historic borough status, where appropriate, from predecessor to successor councils. This is distinct from new unitary councils seeking borough status, which would require a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of members voting before a petition for a Royal Charter is submitted to the Privy Council. City status is more complex, as it is granted by Royal Prerogative, and arrangements to preserve it will depend on the circumstances of each area. The Government has committed to work with local leaders to ensure all ceremonial rights, including city status, are maintained through reorganisation.

The position on armorial bearings requires separate consideration. The Department is engaging with the College of Arms, which is considering options for arrangements following local government reorganisation. The Department will consider the College’s advice as this work progresses.

The call for evidence for the Seventh National Action Plan for Open Government (NAP7) was undertaken by Cabinet Office to assess the potential for the co-creation of open government commitments, but did not adopt any specific policy proposals, and the development of commitments is currently ongoing. MHCLG is keeping the Local Transparency Code under review in the context of wider policy relating to local government accountability including reforms to the local audit system and simplifying local authority accounting.

The Single Data List (SDL) is a list of all the datasets that local government must submit to central government. The SDL is reviewed and updated annually. The Local Government Transparency Code 2015 sets transparency requirements for local authorities. The Government has no current plans to update the SDL or the Transparency Code in response to HM Treasury's Sustainability Reporting Guidance 2026-27, which relates to central government. Local authorities are subject to their own reporting and transparency requirements on sustainability and reducing waste.

The Government’s current devolution framework does not provide mayoral combined authorities with responsibility for public utilities. Strategic Authorities hold functions in defined areas, as set out in legislation and the devolution framework. Any further devolution of functions would be considered on a case-by-case basis as part of the Government’s forward approach to devolution which will be set out in the Rewiring the State delivery plan. This will support the shift of power, funding and accountability from Whitehall to local leaders to drive growth, improve public services and give communities greater control over their future.

The list of externally commissioned research is currently being reviewed and updated, with the aim of reissuing an updated list in autumn 2026 on gov.uk.

The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 requires mayors who exercise police and crime commissioner functions to appoint a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

Mayors who do not exercise police and crime commissioner functions are not required to appoint a deputy mayor for policing or any other function.

Mayors can appoint commissioners to support them within a given area of competence, including public safety, but they are not required to do so.

The Prime Minister has announced that Baroness Casey's Independent Commission on Adult Social Care will now report by summer 2027. The Government intends to publish a substantive response as soon as possible following publication of the commission's final report.

The previous two-phase approach has been replaced by a single, accelerated process. Baroness Casey will therefore provide one final set of recommendations by summer 2027, rather than publishing an interim report followed by a later final report. In the meantime, the Government is continuing to take forward work on Baroness Casey's initial recommendations and wider adult social care reform.

The requirements for noise assessments and/or the setting of noise limits are for local planning authorities to decide as part of their planning responsibilities, unless installations fall within the specifications of permitted development rights, where defined standards apply.

Further to the answer given to Question UIN 20437, MHCLG is unaware of any guidance issued.