The Government has confirmed that Rushcliffe will be divided between two new unitary councils as part of Nottinghamshire’s local government reorganisation.
A letter sent to council chief executives says 17 wards from Rushcliffe will become part of the new Greater Nottingham Council, while the borough’s remaining seven wards will join the new Nottinghamshire Council.
Greater Nottingham Council will also cover the existing Nottingham city area and parts of Broxtowe and Gedling. Nottinghamshire Council will include Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Newark and Sherwood, together with other areas of Broxtowe and Gedling.
Both new councils are expected to have 99 councillors.
The changes remain subject to Parliamentary approval and the detailed warding arrangements for the first elections have not yet been finalised.
Councils have been asked to submit their proposed interim wards by August 17. These can be based on existing county divisions, district wards and parish boundaries, but ministers will make the final decision on the arrangements included in the legislation.
Under the proposals, Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council will continue to provide their existing services until March 31, 2028.
The current councils are due to be abolished on April 1, 2028, when Greater Nottingham Council and Nottinghamshire Council would take over responsibility for local government services in their respective areas.
Elections to the two new authorities are planned for May 2027. The successful candidates would initially sit on shadow councils, preparing budgets, policies and governance arrangements ahead of the formal transfer of responsibilities in 2028.
The May 2027 elections would replace other local elections due to take place in Nottinghamshire at that time. Parish council elections are also expected to be aligned with the new unitary elections, although the detailed arrangements have not been decided.
The Government has allocated £900,000 to help establish each new council, giving Nottinghamshire and Nottingham a combined transition fund of £1.8 million.
The money can be used to separate and combine existing council services, establish programme management arrangements and invest in areas including data systems, digital infrastructure and cyber security.
It may also support preparations for transferring children’s services, adult social care and public health, which are currently provided by Nottinghamshire County Council outside the city.
A joint committee will help oversee preparations for Greater Nottingham Council. Nottingham City Council will have six representatives, with three members from Nottinghamshire County Council and three from the affected district and borough councils.
One implementation team, involving officers from all the councils being replaced, will oversee preparations for both new authorities.
The Government expects to share a draft Structural Changes Order with council officers in September. The legislation will then be considered by Parliament, with the order expected to be made and come into force during 2027.
