The Government’s current consultation on local government reorganisation in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland contains a proposal that the historic county of Rutland fall under a new unitary council to be called just “Leicestershire Council“. An alternative proposal could see it under a “North Leicestershire Council“. … Continue reading
» Association of British Counties
Lancashire County Council 1974-2028 RIP – But What Next?
Lancashire County Council is to be abolished on 1st April 2028. Many will say “Good Riddance!“, since few of the 1974 local government “counties” has made quite such an outrageously inappropriate use of a real county name than has this local authority. But what will … Continue reading
26 February 2026
one response
Shropshire Day 23rd February 2026
Shropshire has the privilege of kicking off the county day season for 2026. Monday 23rd February 2026 is Shropshire Day, the feast day of St Milburga, a day to celebrate everything we love about this beautiful shire. And there is much to love. The Shropshire … Continue reading
2028: An End to County Confusion?
The Government has confirmed that on 1st April 2028 the remaining county councils and district councils in England will be abolished and replaced by a new set of unitary councils. This final end of the 1974 fake local government “counties” will be a major boost … Continue reading
16 February 2026
7 responses
Proposing the name ‘West Surrey and South Middlesex Council’
Since 1965 the people of the Spelthorne area of Middlesex have suffered the indignity of being under a local authority absurdly called “Surrey County Council”. But with the abolition of Surrey County Council in April 2027, it is time to right this historic wrong and … Continue reading
21 January 2026
one response
Bedfordshire Day 2025
Bedfordshire Day is celebrated on 28th November, the birthday of celebrated local son John Bunyan. Bedfordshire Day was instigated in 2015 by our good friends at the Friends of Bedfordshire Society who were also behind the registration of the Bedfordshire flag. Always a well celebrated … Continue reading
29 November 2025
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Lancashire Day 2025
Lancashire Day is celebrated each year on 27th November. On this day in 1295 the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to Westminster by King Edward I to attend what later became known as “The Model Parliament”. Lancashire Day is the brainchild of our … Continue reading
29 November 2025
2 responses
‘West Surrey and South Middlesex Council’?
A long-time sore for county lovers has been the inclusion of the Spelthorne area of Middlesex within the local government “county” of “Surrey”. Surrey County Council and the district councils within its area are to be abolished in May 2027. The Government has just announced … Continue reading
29 October 2025
4 responses
Lincolnshire Day 2025
Always one of the biggest county day celebrations, Lincolnshire Day on 1st October 2025 did not disappoint, ending with the spectacular sight of Lincoln Cathedral lit up in the colours of the county flag Earlier there was a gathering of civic leaders at International Bomber … Continue reading
2 October 2025
one response
ABC’s Triennial General Meeting 2025
The Association of British Counties held its Triennial General Meeting in Tamworth, Staffordshire on Saturday 27th September 2025. We present highlights from what was a busy day with a packed programme. The Association’s Chairman, Peter Boyce, discussed the local government changes happening in England as … Continue reading
30 September 2025
2 responses