Nottinghamshire County Council has taken the first step towards a potential legal challenge over the Government’s controversial plans to redraw the local government map across Nottinghamshire.
The authority has today (Thursday) confirmed it has sent a pre-action letter to the Secretary of State, seeking clarification over the decision to back a major Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposal announced on July 16. The move is part of the formal process that can lead to a Judicial Review, although no legal proceedings have yet been launched.
Council leaders say they are concerned about the lawfulness of the decision-making process and want more information on how ministers reached their conclusion.
The Government’s preferred option would see Nottingham and Nottinghamshire’s current nine councils scrapped and replaced by two new single-tier unitary authorities. The plan, backed by Nottingham City Council, would create one authority covering Nottingham and parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe, with a second authority covering Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood and the remaining parts of those districts.
The reorganisation forms part of one of the biggest overhauls of local government in England for decades, with ministers arguing that larger unitary councils will simplify services and reduce duplication. Elections to the new authorities are expected in 2027, ahead of their planned launch in 2028.
Nottinghamshire County Council previously asked ministers to provide evidence and documents explaining the reasoning behind the decision, but says that request was refused.
Council leader Councillor Mick Barton said the authority had not taken the latest step lightly.
“This is not a step our council has taken lightly.
“Transparency regarding the decision-making process is essential given the significance of the proposals and the implications for residents and communities across Nottinghamshire and Nottingham.
“This is why we have taken this action to seek clarification of the reasoning, evidence and rationale behind the Secretary of State’s decision, so we have a clear understanding of how the decision was reached.
“Once we have received this information and evidence, we will be able to consider our position.”
A pre-action letter is designed to give the other party an opportunity to respond and provide information before any formal court action is considered.
The county council has also written to the chief executives of Nottinghamshire’s other local authorities to make them aware of the move.
Despite the dispute, the authority insisted it remains committed to working constructively with councils and Government officials involved in the reorganisation process. It also says it will continue to play a leading role in delivering the LGR programme, with chief executive Adrian Smith serving as senior responsible officer for the implementation team.
For now, council services will continue as normal while the next phase of the reorganisation process unfolds
