Nottinghamshire County Council will take a report on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) at its full council meeting on 20th March 2025, with the relevant papers going live next week (12th March).
However, subject to the vote on 20th March, it is expected that the County Council will formally endorse the ‘County Only’ option, maintaining the current county boundaries.
Council Leader Sam Smith said: “We have carefully considered the options available, and it is clear that a ‘County Only’ model is the only way to ensure that all current county residents continue to receive high-quality services while keeping council tax low. The alternative proposals, at this stage and in their current form, are not acceptable to this Conservative administration and would require significant boundary changes to make them feasible.”
He added: “The County Council remains committed to protecting vital services for all its residents. Unlike many adjoining areas facing significant financial cutbacks, this Conservative-run Nottinghamshire County Council is keeping libraries open, spending over £70 million on repairing our roads and pavements, and continuing to support essential bus routes to ensure our communities remain well-connected.”
“Our priority, as always, is the people of Nottinghamshire. By endorsing the ‘County Only’ model, we are championing a stable and financially sustainable future for local government, one that protects the services that matter most to our residents, ensuring that they continue to benefit from good-quality provision.”
Joint Statement:
Next steps for local government reorganisation in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
Plans for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will take a step forward from next week, as the nine local councils will come together at their Full Council meetings to discuss progress.
At a meeting of leaders and chief executives on Wednesday 5th March, all nine councils recommitted to working together on a collective response to the UK Government’s invitation, ensuring that the best available options are taken forward for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire residents and businesses.
All nine councils will now hold Full Council meetings between 17th and 20th March to discuss an interim submission to the government (due on 21st March), which outlines three core options.
In February, the government wrote to local authorities formally inviting them to submit proposals to create new structures of unitary authorities – a single tier of local government responsible for all local services in an area. The aim is to create more efficient and effective local government, potentially leading to streamlined services and cost savings for residents.
In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the nine existing local authorities would be abolished to create new unitary councils serving a larger population.
A spokesperson for the leaders said:
“This is arguably the biggest shake-up of local government in 50 years. In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, we are absolutely determined to work together to ensure the best outcome for local people.
“Councils will meet to note the submission of a collective interim plan, but it’s important to note that no decision is being made at this point – this is simply one step in the government’s process.
“We’ve been given an incredibly tight timescale to pull together these initial submissions, and we don’t yet have enough data to make a fully informed decision on a single option, but this is a good first step.
“Between now and November, we are committed to further exploration of data that will allow us to make informed decisions, which also considers how we engage with local people and businesses – making our submission evidence-based and the best one for our people.
“It is accepted that some councils may still wish to continue to explore alternative proposals beyond the three core options being tabled, but we are committed to continuing our work together to achieve an interim submission that will meet the government’s deadline – to consider the art of the possible and make the best of this opportunity.”
The government has given all councils a deadline of 28th November to submit final, much more detailed, proposals.
The core options for discussion at Full Council meetings are:
- A new unitary authority combining Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Gedling, with a second new unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire.
- A new unitary authority combining Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Rushcliffe, with a second new unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire.
- Nottingham City remains a unitary authority, with a new single unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire.
At their meeting on 5th March, leaders accepted that some councils may still wish to continue to explore additional proposals alongside the three core options being tabled.
Leaders also agreed that the next stage of submissions (November) would require a more detailed analysis of individual options and emphasised to the government that a review of current boundaries may be required to ensure that LGR delivers the best outcomes for local communities.
Council Meetings Schedule:
- Monday 17th March: Ashfield, Nottingham City, Mansfield
- Tuesday 18th March: Bassetlaw
- Wednesday 19th March: Broxtowe, Gedling, Newark and Sherwood
- Thursday 20th March: Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire County Council
The nine councils involved are:
- Ashfield District Council
- Bassetlaw District Council
- Broxtowe Borough Council
- Gedling Borough Council
- Mansfield District Council
- Newark and Sherwood District Council
- Nottingham City Council
- Nottinghamshire County Council
- Rushcliffe Borough Council
