Applications to devolution programme by 13 Conservative-led councils in England will allow year’s delay if successful

The Conservatives have been accused of “bottling” the local elections after 13 Tory-led county councils in England said they were asking for a delay to this May’s polls to allow them to take part in a structural shake-up.

The Tory councils have agreed they will ask to be part of the government’s priority programme for devolution, which would mean they could ask to put off county elections for a year. Another council, led by Liberal Democrats, has asked to take part in the programme but also raised “significant concerns” about the implications of delaying elections.