The city outlined that it would favour a ‘Nottingham + 2 model’ – based on data so far – and recommitted to working collaboratively with the eight other councils to ensure the best outcome for residents and businesses.
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Neghat Khan, said:
“Nottingham is a significantly under-bounded local authority, covering a population of 328,000 at the centre of a built-up area of well over 750,000 (and a wider county population of 1.17 million).
“We are responsible for delivering the services expected in a Core City, but many of the people who work in the city and use council services currently live in the suburbs, meaning they can’t vote in city elections and pay council tax elsewhere. We need to address that imbalance.
“And that doesn’t mean suddenly increasing council tax in new areas, like some politicians are suggesting.”
Cllr Khan acknowledged the recent challenges faced by the city but condemned scaremongering by political groups.
“Nottingham has been on a journey over the last year, but we’ve made huge strides in getting our house in order – and that has been recognised by our Commissioners and by the Government.
“We’ve just published our five-year Council Plan, which puts delivering for local people and leading the city forward at its heart.
“And we’re on track for a fully balanced general fund position by 2027/28. We are not in the doom-and-gloom position that others are making out. It is unhelpful scare tactics in the wake of upcoming local elections.
“Ours is a message of growth, improvement, and stability in the city,” she said.
All nine councils are holding Full Council meetings this week, between 17 and 20 March, to discuss an interim submission to the Government (due on 21 March). This outlines three core options, which 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.
Cllr Khan continued:
“While this process has been understandably emotive, Nottingham has remained silent on preferred options, as our approach has been to take an objective view of the data, with a genuine interest in what is best for the people and the delivery of services.
“Backed by interim findings from PwC, at this point we believe that the most sustainable model would be two new unitaries; likely meaning a new authority that combines Nottingham City Council with any two of Broxtowe, Gedling, and Rushcliffe.
“Subject to Government feedback, we are also open to other city + 2 models that have not yet been fully explored.
“I remain committed to working with my Leader counterparts, especially during the next phase, which will require a more detailed analysis of individual options, to ensure that LGR delivers the best outcomes for local communities.”
In February, the Government wrote to local authorities formally inviting them to submit proposals to create new structures of unitary authorities – which is 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 with a higher population of residents.
The Government has given all councils a deadline of 21 March to submit interim plans, with a 28 November deadline to submit final, much more detailed, proposals.
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
