Plans for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will take a step forward from next week, as the nine local councils will come together at their Full Council meetings to discuss progress.
At a meeting of leaders and chief executives on Wednesday 5 March, all nine councils recommitted to work together on a collective response to the UK Government’s invitation, that ensures the best available options are taken forward for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire residents and businesses.
All nine councils will now hold Full Council meetings between 17 and 20 March to discuss an interim submission to the government (due on 21 March), that outlines three core options.
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.
In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the nine existing local authorities would be abolished, to create new unitary councils with a higher population of residents.
A spokesperson for the leaders said:
“This is arguably the biggest shake-up of local government in 50 years. In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire we are absolutely determined to work together to ensure the best outcome for local people.
“Councils will meet to note the submission of a collective interim plan, but it’s important to note that there is no decision being made at this point – this is simply one step in the government’s process.
“We’ve been given an incredibly tight timescale to pull together these initial submissions, and we don't yet have enough data to make a fully informed decision on a single option, but this is a good first step.
“Between now and November we are committed to further exploration of data that will allow us to make informed decisions, that also considers how we engage with local people and businesses – making our submission evidence-based, and the best one for our people.
“It is accepted that some councils may still wish to continue to explore alternative proposals beyond the three core options being tabled, but we are committed to continuing our work together to achieve an interim submission that will meet the
government’s deadline – to consider the art of the possible and make the best of this opportunity.”
The government has given all councils a deadline of 28 November to submit final, much more detailed, proposals.
The core options for discussion at Full Council meetings are:
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.
At their meeting on 5 March, leaders accepted that some councils may still wish to continue to explore additional proposals alongside the three core options being tabled.
Leaders also agreed that the next stage of submissions (November) would require a more detailed analysis of individual options and agreed to emphasise to the government that a review of current boundaries may be required, to ensure that LGR delivers the best outcomes for local communities.
Council Meetings Schedule:
· Monday 17 March: Ashfield, Nottingham City, Mansfield
· Tuesday 18 March: Bassetlaw
· Wednesday 19 March: Broxtowe, Gedling, Newark and Sherwood
· Thursday 20 March: Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire County Council
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