Government has decided to replace 10 councils in Derby and Derbyshire with two unitary councils – one for the north and one for the south – to simplify local government for residents and make it more efficient.
It means residents in Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire will receive services provided by a new council for the north area, while residents in Erewash, South Derbyshire and Derby will receive services provided by a new council for the south area.
The boundary line between the new north and south councils in Derbyshire will split Amber Valley in two. If you live in Amber Valley, your address will determine which new council provides your council services from 1 April 2028.
Council Leader Councillor Alan Graves said:
“Local councils were asked to put forward proposals for the future of local government in their area, and the Government decided that the two-council option proposed by district and borough councils was in the best interests of local residents and businesses.
“Based on our own research and public consultation, we believed that a single council for the whole of Derbyshire was the best option. However, we agree that having two councils is better than the current system of 10, as it will save money and be easier for residents to understand.
“Our residents deserve a modern, efficient and effective system of local government that can meet current and future challenges and support the area to grow and prosper, working closely with the East Midlands Combined County Authority. This historic decision brings that vision closer to becoming a reality, with two new councils being created to provide all council services: one for the north and another for the city and the south of the county.
“It’s not a merger – it’s a fresh start and an opportunity to do things differently. Now we’re focused on working with our district, borough and city council colleagues to plan how services in Derby and Derbyshire will be delivered by two councils in the future.”
Derbyshire currently has two tiers of council – the county council is the upper tier, and eight district and borough councils are the lower tier. Both are responsible for different services. Derby has a single tier – one council providing all services in the city. This is called a unitary council.
Subject to Parliamentary approval, today’s decision means the county, city and district councils will cease to exist on 1 April 2028, when they will be replaced by the two new unitary councils.
The new councils will look after all services for their area, from social care, education, roads and children’s services to bin collections, housing, parks and leisure.
Elections will be held in May 2027 to appoint a ‘shadow authority’ for each of the new council areas. These will form and develop in the background while the existing 10 councils continue to run local services. A team of executives will be appointed to each shadow council to direct its work as it prepares to officially take over from the existing councils on 1 April 2028.
Councillor Graves added:
“There’s still a lot of detail yet to be agreed, such as what the new councils will be called. However, we want to reassure residents that the council services they receive will continue as normal in the meantime, and we’re working hard to make sure these services continue seamlessly as we switch from 10 councils to two on 1 April 2028.”
