Just two councils for North and South Notts should be created to serve the county when nine existing local authorities are scrapped, Gedling Borough Council say.
The council is one of six in Notts who have created a joint proposal in response to a request by government for suggestions on how counties should be served when the current authorities are scrapped in 2028.
The Government announced back in February that they want to overhaul how local councils are run in a bid to improve efficiency. Larger unitary councils would be formed to replace the smaller authorities currently in power.
The Notts councils are proposing that two unitary authorities are created that are ‘rooted in community and connected by place’. They would provide services for residents in the north and south of the county:
- Sherwood Forest (North Nottinghamshire) – comprising Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Gedling, Mansfield and Newark and Sherwood Council areas
- Nottingham and South Nottinghamshire (South Nottinghamshire) – comprising Broxtowe, Nottingham City, and Rushcliffe Council areas
The proposals represent the biggest shake-up of local government in over 50 years.
Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe Borough Councils have worked together on a separate proposal that would see Gedling and Broxtowe absorbed by the City to create one council and the remaining authorities combining to form a second.
The north-south model, known throughout the public engagement process as Option 1e received the strongest support. The feedback from the public showed that Option 1e received more support than 1b, with around a third of respondents calling for a North-South and perceived geographic split.
The proposal is backed by leaders representing over 70% of the region’s geography and 473,000 residents, and aligns with similar plans in neighbouring Derbyshire.
Councillor Julie Leigh (Bassetlaw), Councillor Paul Peacock (Newark and Sherwood), Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams (Mansfield), and Councillor John Clarke MBE (Gedling) have united in support of the proposal, saying it has the potential to deliver lasting change, financial sustainability, and genuine transformation in public services.
The Leaders have acknowledged concerns raised by residents about the need for reorganisation and the impact it could have on local communities.
A joint statement from Council Leaders from Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, Mansfield and Gedling said: “This proposal will deliver significant efficiency savings and remove the confusion and duplication that is caused by the current system of county and district councils.
“Our proposal carries the potential to improve local services and enhance the prosperity of our areas through stronger economic and housing growth, and it brings communities together that have a common connection.
“Since this process began in February, we have worked collaboratively with all councils throughout this intense period. However, we must be realistic about what will deliver the best outcome for our residents, and this is the most sensible option.
“The other option (Option 1b) would place the iconic City Ground (home of Nottingham Forest Football Club) and Trent Bridge Cricket Ground outside of the Nottingham boundary and in a Council that stretches up to and beyond Doncaster. As residents have identified for themselves, this does not make sense.
“Listening carefully to our residents, we know that there are some concerns around LGR but our proposal recognises these and looks at ways we can address them head on.
“We know that Government has mandated Local Government reform, and failure to put through a sensible proposal, such as ours, could mean that Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are given an option that is not the best for the people. Therefore, we have carefully listened to the feedback received so far, and will continue to do so, to shape what we believe is the very best option for all.”
The preferred option will now go to councils for approval before being submitted to government for consideration. There will then be a period of government engagement on all options presented by Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
The current nine Councils across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are expected to be abolished on March 31, 2028 with the two new Councils beginning the following day.
The report can be viewed on the LGR page at www.gedling.gov.uk.
