A proposal recommending a merger between Gedling, Broxtowe and Nottingham City Council could soon be on its way to Westminster ahead of an incoming shake up of local government.
Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcillfe Borough Councils have been working on a recommendation for local government reorganisation in Notts after deciding to reject s joint proposal from the county’s other local authorities.
Last year the Government called on councils across the country to put together plans for the reorganisation of their area’s local authorities as part of the shake up. The process, known as Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is designed to replace existing ‘two-tier’ structures such as the one in Nottinghamshire
A two-tiered system means services are shared between two, and sometimes three, councils. The second tier of local government is currently made up of seven borough and district Councils in Notts. In some areas there may also be a third tier – a town or parish council. Nottinghamshire County Council is a first-tier local authority.
Once a new structure is approved, all seven of Nottinghamshire’s district and boroughs would disappear.
Leaders at Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council Mick Barton and Neil Clarke yesterday (12) unveiled their final version of a joint proposal for an LDR structure that would see the creation of two new local authorities.
Councillors were asked to vote for two of a number of options for reorganisation at a county council meeting on September 2 before a submission is made to the Government. They voted by 43 to 11 in favour of progressing option 1b that would see Broxtowe and Gedling combine with Nottingham City as one unitary authority, and all other districts as another.
The proposal by other authorities in Notts opted for Nottingham City to expand its boundary to include Broxtowe and Rushcliffe districts as part of a new unitary. A second unitary would then be formed to cover the rest of Nottinghamshire. This is the Government’s preferred option – but was rejected by Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe.
Nottinghamshire County Council issued a video statement on social media at the time, stating the authority had “hardly” been involved in a public consultation exercise over future council structure and would now be working on an alternative.
Councillor Mick Barton, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Since we were elected in May I was given a job to do, and that was to deliver a proposal on LGR (Local Government Reorganisation).
“From the very beginning, I wanted communities, residents and businesses to be at the forefront of what this policy represents and delivers.
“Five months on, we have the proposal ready to go to Full Council on November 20, and I am happy with our final proposal.
“As I feel that the document we are putting forward is a superior piece of work. I look forward to delivering this final document to full council and formally signing it off and then sending it to the government at the end of the month.”
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council added: “This proposal is the best one given the evidence – it brings together what works, keeps our communities at the heart of decision-making, and ensures we’re ready for the future.”
The Government is expected to reach a final decision on the future council structure in Nottinghamshire in March 2026, and they say the new-look councils will be established in 2028.
Nobody wants this – how can we stop it?