Ancient cities across England, including historic Winchester and Canterbury, are at risk of losing their city status due to a local government reorganization initiated by Communities Secretary Angela Rayner. The reforms, which aim to create larger single authorities by 2028, are prompting councils to undertake a complex and potentially costly process to safeguard their centuries-old titles, mayors, and coats of arms.
Southend-on-Sea, which was granted city status only four years ago, also faces this challenge. The danger arises because the existing councils responsible for these cities are being abolished as part of the reorganization. To preserve their status, these areas must establish charter trustees before the new town halls are created. This process could result in an additional charge on council tax bills for residents to cover the associated expenses.
Shadow Housing Minister Gareth Bacon criticized the reforms, calling them a "constitutional wrecking ball" that forces historic places through a "costly and lengthy process to retain that status." He added that the devolution program appears to be about imposing government will rather than empowering local communities.
Winchester, a significant urban center since Roman times and the former capital of Alfred the Great's Anglo-Saxon kingdom, is among the most historic places affected. Its city council is slated to merge into a new Mid Hampshire council. Leaders are working to protect its status, mayoralty, and coat of arms, aiming to avoid a situation like Rochester in Kent, which lost its city status in 1998 due to an official error and never regained it.
Cllr Martin Tod, Leader of Winchester City Council, described the situation as "quite complicated" due to boundary changes and specific rules for charter trustees in areas with town and parish councils. He noted uncertainty regarding the government's proposed solution, the timeline, and the costs involved.
In Canterbury, home to England's oldest cathedral, the city council is being incorporated into an East Kent unitary authority. Officials are reportedly exploring methods to preserve the city's status, which it has held "since time immemorial," along with its Lord Mayor and Sheriff. A report suggests that establishing a town council or charter trustees could safeguard these civic titles, though it may lead to a "modest" annual council tax precept of between £2 and £18 per household.
Similarly, Southend-on-Sea council officers warned that without proactive measures, the city status and other charters awarded to the former borough could lapse. They highlighted that unless a new parish or charter trustee is created to hold the Letters Patent from the monarch, the granted honors could be lost.
Stoke-on-Trent, made a city in 1925, is urging the government to secure its status by establishing charter trustees within the initial order that abolishes its current council. A report indicated that failing to implement these legal mechanisms before the council's abolition could lead to the loss of city status, citing precedents where other settlements have lost their status during similar reorganizations.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated, "We recognise the pride, history and identity that sits behind our cities which is why we will work with areas to make sure city status is preserved following reorganisation."