BBCThe government has abandoned plans to delay 30 council elections in England following legal advice.
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed had approved delays for the ballots for the councils until 2027 to help deliver a major reorganisation which will see some local authorities abolished.
Reform UK had launched a legal challenge against the plans to delay May's elections, which was due to be heard in the High Court on Thursday.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said "following legal advice" the government had "withdrawn its original decision to postpone 30 local elections in May".
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