County Councillor Sam Smith, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Conservative Opposition, voiced serious concerns over the Labour Government-driven reorganisation of local government structures across Nottinghamshire — the most significant shake-up in half a century.
At a press conference held on 5th August 2025, Cllr Sam Smith, Leader of the Opposition at Nottinghamshire County Council alongside his Shadow Cabinet addressed the media to raise serious concerns about the current Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposals.
He highlighted the financial risks, potential service cuts, and lack of alternative options being considered. Cllr Smith called for new options to be developed in light of recent government guidance, urging transparency and better outcomes for Nottinghamshire residents.
“The Treasury is pushing this hard and fast, aiming to save money they are currently spending bailing out financially incompetent councils — many of which are Labour-run, including Nottingham City and Birmingham,” said Councillor Smith. “But the current proposals risk reducing local services and increasing Council Tax right across Nottinghamshire.”
At the heart of the controversy are two proposals, both requiring Nottingham City Council to absorb all of Broxtowe Borough and either all of Gedling or all of Rushcliffe Boroughs.
“Nottingham City Council itself has said it will be financially stable on its current boundary for the next two years. So why aren’t alternative options being seriously considered?” Cllr Smith questioned. “Any break-up of the existing county boundary will cost taxpayers an extra £8 million — money that should instead be spent improving vital local services.”
Cllr Smith highlighted the risk to rural communities: “Both of the current options would see large swathes of rural Nottinghamshire swallowed up by Nottingham City, making it one of the largest rural cities in the country. Towns and villages in areas like the Vale of Belvoir, Arnold, and West Bridgford will be sidelined, with the City Council prioritising services for inner-city areas such as Sneinton, Lenton, and Mapperley Park.”
The Conservative Shadow Cabinet also raised concerns about Broxtowe and social care standards: “No option currently prevents Broxtowe joining the City. This means residents receiving social care rated ‘good’ by the CQC from Nottinghamshire County Council will likely be transferred to providers rated ‘inadequate’ on the day of transfer. That is simply unacceptable.”
Cllr Smith pointed out that the options of all of Broxtowe Borough and either all of Gedling or all of Rushcliffe Boroughs being taken over by the City were drafted before the Government relaxed key criteria in June — including the watering down of the 500,000 population target and the requirement to use districts as building blocks without boundary changes.
“These changes mean new options should be developed,” he said. “What about combining Rushcliffe, Gedling, and Newark and expanding the City boundary slightly into the urban part of the County in places like Beeston? It’s frustrating that unelected bureaucrats have blocked these ideas from being explored, claiming ‘the business case wouldn’t stack up’ without actually testing them. I’m calling for that to change now — for the sake of protecting local services and quality of life.”
Nottinghamshire’s Conservative County Councillors noted strong public opposition to the Boroughs of Rushcliffe, Broxtowe and Gedling joining the City : “Petitions signed by over 12,500 Rushcliffe residents, 4,500 Gedling residents, and nearly 2,000 Broxtowe residents have expressed clear opposition to joining Nottingham City.”
Cllr Smith warned of tax rises for residents should the City takeover large chunks of the County: “Rushcliffe brings in the highest council tax and business rate income in the County, helping fund libraries, bus routes, and social care while keeping council tax low. If Rushcliffe is absorbed into the City, the remaining County will have less income, resulting in service cuts and council tax hikes — starting with leisure centres, parks, and libraries.”
He added, “The financial income difference between Gedling and Rushcliffe is minimal, so either joining the City will harm the rest of the County.”
“Council tax is the largest household bill,” Cllr Smith explained. “City residents already pay more than those in County areas. For example, a Band D property in Gedling pays £174 less a year than the same property in Nottingham City. Expanding Nottingham City into all of Broxtowe and either all of Rushcliffe or Gedling would mean less services and higher taxes for everyone.”
Calling for transparency and fairness, Cllr Smith urged: “We must now see fresh options reflecting the Government’s updated criteria — no population targets, no rigid district boundaries. Options could include the City expanding only into urban fringes, such as Beeston, and combining Rushcliffe, Gedling, and Newark – which would keep most of Broxtowe in the County.”
“Politicians must instruct officers to produce business cases for these new proposals by November,” Cllr Smith demanded. “Our residents deserve a wider choice. The interim plan submitted in March even supports boundary reviews. These alternatives may or may not stack up, but we need to see the evidence — not be forced to pick between all of Broxtowe and either all of Rushcliffe or Gedling being taken over by the City, which will lower quality of life through fewer services and higher costs.”
Concluding, Councillor Smith said: “If done right, creating unitary authorities can deliver better local services, streamlined decision-making, joined-up approaches to schools, buses, health, planning, and waste, all while reducing taxes thanks to council efficiencies. But it must reflect local needs. All of Broxtowe and either all of Rushcliffe or Gedling joining the City does not. We owe it to Nottinghamshire’s residents to explore every option between now and November, do the hard work on business cases, and implement a new council structure that keeps council tax low and delivers better services for all.”
