Political figures across Gedling borough have reacted after the Government announced it is pausing controversial plans to reorganise local councils across the county.
The decision puts the brakes on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which would have seen parts of Gedling, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe merged with Nottingham City to create a new unitary authority, while the remainder of the county formed a second council.
Gedling’s Labour MP Michael Payne welcomed the announcement, saying he had repeatedly raised concerns over the process with ministers.
Mr Payne said: “I welcome the Secretary of State’s decision today to pause and review the proposed Local Government Reorganisation for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
“I raised this issue directly with Andy Burnham shortly before he became Prime Minister, making clear my concerns regarding the process, the need for decisions to stand up to any legal challenge, and that the voices of local communities must be heard.”
The MP said he had also raised the issue in the House of Commons in July and was pleased ministers had listened to concerns surrounding the reorganisation plans.
“For me, this has always been about a simple principle: putting the people of Gedling first and doing what is right for Gedling’s future,” he said.
Mr Payne added that during the review period he would seek assurances local residents, councillors and community representatives would be listened to before any future decisions are made.
“Local government reorganisation is a huge change. It affects how decisions are made, how services are delivered, and how our communities are represented. It must therefore be shaped by the people who know those communities best.
“I welcome the pause. Now we need a proper review, genuine engagement, and a process that listens.”
Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Conservatives hailed the move as a major victory for their campaign against the proposals.
Cllr Sam Smith, Conservative leader of the opposition at Nottinghamshire County Council, said the Government’s decision had brought plans for a Nottingham City expansion “to a halt”.
He said: “From day one, Conservatives have fought against City takeover plans at every level while Reform have constantly voted in favour of Gedling and Broxtowe joining the failing Labour City Council.
“We Conservatives have warned that the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation plans, supported by Reform, was a blatant political stitch-up, designed to boost Labour’s city tax base at the expense of well-run boroughs and districts.”
Cllr Smith argued residents in areas including Gedling, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe had opposed the proposals and pointed to petitions signed by thousands of people calling for the plans to be scrapped.
“This is a clear Conservative victory for the people of Nottinghamshire,” he said.
“Residents faced the real prospect of paying more for poorer services, while hundreds of millions of pounds of key assets, such as County Hall, were set to be handed over to a failed and bankrupt Labour-run Nottingham City.”
Cllr Smith said Conservative campaigners would continue pressing the Government until the proposals were “finally thrown out for good”.
Cllr Mike Adams, Conservative Group Leader on Gedling Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Councillor for Carlton East, said the climbdown followed months of determined opposition from Conservative councillors, residents and local campaigners who argued that Labour’s “super councils” would weaken local identity, remove accountability and risk costing taxpayers more, not less.
Cllr Mike Adams is a Conservative councillor who represents Carlton East on Nottinghamshire County Council. He called today’s decision ‘a victory for common sense’.
He said: “Labour never put this reorganisation in their manifesto. They tried to abolish familiar councils, postpone elections and impose boundaries that local people did not want. Conservative councillors have fought this every step of the way — in council chambers, in Parliament through our MPs, through petitions and on the doorstep.”
“In Nottinghamshire we warned that splitting the county and swallowing parts of Gedling into an expanded city would strip residents of local voice and hand over assets paid for by county taxpayers. We asked people to speak up. They did. Today the Government has had to stop.”
The Government’s decision follows legal advice that has prompted a wider review of local government reorganisation plans across England, with Nottinghamshire among 14 areas where decisions are being paused while further consideration takes place.
The move also means local elections are expected to go ahead in May 2027 on existing council boundaries while the review is carried out.
