Local Government Reorganisation

Next steps 

Plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire took a step forward from March 17-20, as the nine local councils came together at respective Full Council meetings to discuss progress.

In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the nine existing local authorities would be abolished, to create new unitary councils with a higher population of residents.

At a meeting of Leaders and Chief Executives on March 5, all nine councils recommitted to working together on a collective response to the Government’s invitation, that ensures the best available options are taken forward for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire residents and businesses.

All nine councils discussed an interim submission to Government that was sent on March 21 that outlined three core options.

Rushcliffe Borough Council also debated a fourth option to create three unitary authorities, none of which would involve joining with the Nottingham City Council local authority area. 30 Councillors voted for this option, 1 against and there were 13 abstentions. 

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.

The Government has given all councils a deadline of November 28 to submit final, much more detailed, proposals.

The core options discussed at Full Council meetings were:

1. A new unitary authority combining Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Gedling, with a second new unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire.
2. A new unitary authority combining Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Rushcliffe, with a second new unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire.
3. Nottingham city remains a unitary authority, with a new single unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire.

Leaders accepted that some councils may still wish to continue to explore additional proposals alongside the three core options tabled and RBC completed this with the above outcome.

Leaders also agreed that the next stage of submissions (November) would require a more detailed analysis of individual options, and agreed to emphasise to Government that a review of current boundaries may be required, to ensure that LGR delivers the best outcomes for local communities.

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

Rushcliffe Borough Council meeting, Thursday March 20, available to view on YouTube

As above, Rushcliffe Borough Council took a report on LGR to an extraordinary Full Council meeting on March 20. It outlined the Council's preferred option along with three other potential options for reorganisation. These have been developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) following discussions with the Leaders of all Nottinghamshire local authorities.

Subject to the vote, it formally proposed its preferred option of the City remaining on existing boundaries and the remainder of the County comprising 2 unitaries - which would result in no-parts of Rushcliffe Borough joining the city. This would use current district council boundaries based on the current county boundaries. 

Leader of the Council Cllr Neil Clarke said after the meeting: “The Council will now write to the Government to request a public consultation exercise for the people of Nottinghamshire to have their say on any final proposal.

“We are keen to still remain working with other councils but we are equally keen to ensure other options receive further assessment in line with the additional alternative that we proposed in the meeting.

“It is important that our residents can be assured of the confidence of a high standard of service they receive at the moment being maintained in the future.

“It is our understanding is that the government has not indicated a public consultation exercise is necessary.

“However, it is important that residents have an opportunity to express their views and consequently we will be doing all we can to ensure our residents do have that opportunity to have their say.

“My first priority is the residents of the Borough and the high quality of services they enjoy in the Borough and the County, while keeping Council Tax low. We do not want to see any reduction in services or any potential large increase in Council Tax.

“I emphasise our priority will always be the residents of the Borough of Rushcliffe and to ensure our stable financial management remains fit for sustainable excellent services for our residents in the future, with high quality services remaining at the top of our agenda.

“The work will proceed over the summer to work together with other councils in the hope that a final submission can be agreed for the end of November.”