Plans for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will take a step forward from next week, as the nine local councils come together at their Full Council meetings to discuss progress.
At a meeting of leaders and chief executives on Wednesday, 5 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 17 and 20 March to discuss an interim submission to the government (due on 21 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 consider 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 28 November to submit final, much more detailed, proposals.
Cllr Jonathan Wheeler who sits on Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council said:
‘We have nearly 10,000 signatures from residents who are clear they do not want to join a new city council.
“It seems that some other Labour-run councils are happy to throw us to the wolves but I am clear as are my Conservative colleagues that we will not vote to join the City and bail out their failures.’
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 5 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, 17 March: Ashfield, Nottingham City, Mansfield
Tuesday, 18 March: Bassetlaw
Wednesday, 19 March: Broxtowe, Gedling, Newark and Sherwood
Thursday, 20 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
