{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/9475d117-fcd4-4915-a6f3-923941e7aa0d/6945890ef756711739bddf4e?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Councils shake-up: Will local elections face further delays? ","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61ba05fc1a8cbed4343cf0e6/1766266762892-33c619d1-c2eb-4056-8778-25642e2cbc7e.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>It might be the festive season, but there’s fury in the corridors of power following a row which broke out regarding proposals that would see local elections delayed for a second year in a row for millions of voters.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>It comes as the government plans to abolish the two-tier system of district and county councils, creating a swathe of new local authorities that will be responsible for delivering services in their areas from 2028.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>In total, ministers have written to a total of 63 councils scheduled to hold elections in May 2026, although we won’t know for sure if they’re postponed until January.</p><p><br></p><p>The Standard’s Chief Political Correspondent Rachael Burford is here with the latest.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Evening Standard"}