Local Government Reorganisation

The process so far 

Plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are continuing. 

In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the nine existing local authorities including Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) would be abolished, to create new unitary councils with a higher population of residents, following a central government white paper in November 2024.

In February 2025, 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.

At a meeting of Leaders and Chief Executives in March, all nine councils recommitted to working together on a collective response to the Government’s invitation, that ensures the best available options are taken forward for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire residents and businesses.

March 2025 Full Council meeting 

All nine councils discussed an interim submission to Government that was sent on March 21 that outlined three core options. 

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.

Leaders accepted that some councils may still wish to continue to explore additional proposals alongside the three core options tabled.

At an extraordinary meeting on March 20, 2025 RBC also debated a fourth option to create three unitary authorities, none of which would involve joining with the Nottingham City Council local authority area. 

The report on LGR outlined the Council's preferred option along with three other potential options for reorganisation. These were developed by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) following discussions with the Leaders of all Nottinghamshire local authorities.

It formally proposed its preferred option of the City remaining on existing boundaries and the remainder of the County comprising 2 unitaries - which would result in no-parts of Rushcliffe Borough joining the city. This would use current district council boundaries based on the current county boundaries. 

30 Councillors voted for this option, 1 against and there were 13 abstentions. 

In June 2025, the Government issued its feedback on the joint interim LGR plan.

The feedback acknowledged the positive partnership working by the councils so far, and encouraged the councils to continue to work together, to shape high-quality and sustainable services that best respond to the needs of residents and provide better value for money.

It recognised that proposals are at an early stage, with further work planned in the run-up to final submissions planned for November 2025.

A strong emphasis was placed on providing rationale for populations below or above 500,000, as well as ensuring local engagement planned for the summer will seek to hear views on how new authorities could work with the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

The feedback also included recognition of an additional option, submitted by RBC asking that any additional proposals include comparison to core proposals and how they may better meet criteria.

RBC are pleased this further option remains possible in the discussions and reiterates its support to scope this further whilst concurrently exploring the other three options.

July 2025 Full Council meeting 

Councillors considered a report on the future of local Councils in Nottinghamshire, including a possible new unitary council covering Rushcliffe, Newark and Sherwood, Ashfield, Bassetlaw and Mansfield.

A majority of Councillors voted in favour of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) recommendations at a Full Council meeting on July 17 to continue to work collaboratively with all other local authorities in Nottinghamshire and Nottingham.

The vote was not on any final proposals for possible change and the authority is waiting for fellow Councils to also put forward their preferences for possible reorganisation. This is with a view to developing a final unitary proposal for submission by the Government’s deadline of November 28 this year.

At the meeting, a majority of Councillors voted in favour of supporting the development of the option of one unitary council covering Rushcliffe, Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Newark and Sherwood and one unitary covering Broxtowe, Gedling and Nottingham City.

It included supporting the proposal reorganisation does not include any part of the current Rushcliffe Borough being absorbed into any new or expanded city area.

The Council is in favour of temporarily pausing any further work focusing on RBC’s own 3 unitary option where Rushcliffe is joined with Newark and Sherwood and Gedling borough councils until there is more clarity on options being taken forward as part of all the councils’ joint work.

If further support materialises for a three unitary option from other councils, this option will be pursued further to a potential final bid stage and further partnership working explored with other councils.

Councillors also voted in favour of development of the final proposal includes involvement of the Town and Parish Councils, other local community organisations and businesses as part of the wider engagement in the process.

A majority of Councillors accepted an amendment to the original recommendations recognising that after the reorganisation all councils in the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire area will be completely new organisations. 

The Council accepted a further amendment reaffirming its commitment to engage with residents on their views. RBC is working with other councils on a joint approach which it will announce as soon as possible.

Next steps 

The feedback from central government following the interim submission will be further reviewed in depth, in order to focus and refine next steps, ahead of its November 28, 2025 deadline to submit final, much more detailed, proposals.

Leaders also agreed that this next stage of submissions would require a more detailed analysis of individual options, and agreed to emphasise to Government that a review of current boundaries may be required, to ensure that LGR delivers the best outcomes for local communities.

An engagement process on possible reorganisation is set to take place in due course, look out on this website and all Council channels on how you can have your views heard.

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