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.

Submissions to government November 28, 2025 

Greater Nottinghamshire Proposal Submitted: Vision for Two New Councils for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire  

Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council have formally submitted the Greater Nottinghamshire Proposal and its appendicies to the UK Government, setting out a bold vision for modernising local government and improving services for residents in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. 

This change to local councils is happening because the Government has asked us to reorganise how local government works in Nottinghamshire. We are following this requirement to make sure our services are better, simpler, and more joined up for everyone in our communities.

Our proposal recommends replacing the current two-tier system with two new unitary councils. Under this plan, one council would bring together Nottingham City, Broxtowe, and Gedling, creating a single authority focused on the urban core and its surrounding communities. The second council would unite the remaining districts of Rushcliffe, Newark and Sherwood, Ashfield, Mansfield and Bassetlaw, ensuring that services are delivered efficiently and reflect the needs of local communities.

This approach is designed to simplify governance, reduce duplication, and strengthen accountability. By streamlining decision-making and focusing resources, the new councils would deliver better services, financial resilience, and a governance model that puts local identity at its heart. Residents will benefit from clearer responsibilities, improved service delivery, and a stronger voice in local decision-making.

Following submission, the Government will review the proposal against statutory criteria and then launch a formal consultation. This consultation is expected to begin in early 2026, inviting views from councils, stakeholders, and the public. Once the consultation closes, ministers will consider responses and announce their decision, likely in late Spring or Summer 2026. If approved, legislation would be introduced in summer 2026, paving the way for elections to new “shadow authorities” in May 2027. The new councils would then go live in April 2028, marking the start of a new era for local government in Nottinghamshire.

Other submissions can be viewed by visiting: Nottingham and Nottinghamshire: Reorganising your councils | LGR.

This means there are three different proposals submitted - the Greater Nottinghamshire option also known as 1b, 1e, and Bii.

Option 1b

• Nottingham City Council + Broxtowe Borough Council + Gedling Borough  Council
• Nottinghamshire County Council + Ashfield District Council + Bassetlaw District Council + Mansfield District Council + Newark and Sherwood District Council + Rushcliffe Borough Council

Option 1e

• Nottingham City Council + Broxtowe Borough Council + Rushcliffe Borough Council
• Nottinghamshire County Council + Ashfield District Council + Bassetlaw District Council + Gedling Borough  Council + Mansfield District Council + Newark and Sherwood District Council

Option Bii

• Nottingham City Council + Broxtowe Borough Council (part)  + Gedling Borough  Council (part) + Rushcliffe Borough Council
• Nottinghamshire County Council + Ashfield District Council + Bassetlaw District Council + Gedling Borough  Council + Mansfield District Council + Newark and Sherwood District Council

Provided they meet the government's criteria set out earlier in the year, these proposals will all go forward for a government-led statutory consultation in the new year.

This is a mandatory element of the LGR process, before the Secretary of State can make a final decision on which option will be taken forward in the region.

All three proposals are available to view on the lgrnotts website, which was set up by the nine councils in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire earlier in the year.

A spokesperson for the councils said: “This is a significant milestone for LGR in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in what will be the biggest change in local government for over 50 years.

“It has taken a lot of work to get to this point, and we are proud of everyone who has supported us to get here. The diversity of our geography and politics has meant no single option could be agreed upon, and three proposals have been submitted by seven of the nine councils for government to consider – two have chosen not to support any option.

“The proposals reflect what each council believes is best for our communities, and future sustainability, reflective of the distinctions that define Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

“Irrespective of our preferences, we remain committed to working together on the chosen outcome for the region – now it is over to the government to decide which go forward to consultation and then implementation.”

Here’s a breakdown of what option each council has supported:

Bassetlaw District Council	1e
Gedling Borough Council
Mansfield District Council
Newark and Sherwood District Council
Nottingham City Council	Bii
Nottinghamshire County Council	1b
Rushcliffe Borough Council

 

Ashfield District Council’s Cabinet resolved to not express a preference for a single option – a position that reflects the profound geographic, economic, and social distinctions within Ashfield, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire. They stressed that this was not a lack of commitment to reform or collaboration, and that regardless of the Government's final choice, they would ensure active, positive involvement in implementation.

Members at Broxtowe Borough Council resolved not to support any of the proposals. Instead, they agreed to submit a Potential Impacts Assessment on the impact of LGR on Broxtowe residents and to write to the Secretary of State highlighting that the Council was not against Local Government Reorganisation in principle, but to call for the process to be halted in order for it to be considered more fully.

The decision to launch the LGR process was taken by central government, who wrote to local authorities in February formally asking 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.

Currently, council services in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are delivered differently, depending on where you live.

In Nottinghamshire local services are currently delivered under what is known as a ‘two-tier’ council structure. Nottinghamshire County Council oversees county-wide services such as social care, education, and road maintenance. While several smaller district and borough councils are responsible for more localised services, including waste collection, parks and open spaces, and leisure centres.

Nottingham City Council operates as a ‘unitary authority’, meaning it provides all council services within the city of Nottingham.

Under LGR, all nine existing local authorities would be abolished, to create new unitary councils with a higher population of residents.

It is being proposed that two new unitary councils should be created for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to replace the current nine.

Now that final proposals have been submitted, government is expected to review submissions before making a final decision on the option that will be taken forward for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in the Summer of 2026.

Update November 12, 2025

Nottinghamshire Leaders to Submit Proposals for Greater Nottinghamshire – Safer, Simpler, Stronger Local Government

Rushcliffe Borough Council and Nottinghamshire County Council have unveiled their joint proposal for LGR, setting out a bold plan to create two new unitary authorities for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. This will be discussed at an extraordinary Full Council meeting on November 20.

This once-in-a-generation reform aims to deliver better outcomes for residents, stronger local leadership, and a modern, joined-up approach to deliver safer and simpler public services in their Greater Nottinghamshire vision.

The proposal, built on robust evidence and extensive local engagement, recommends the creation of two council authorities:

• Nottingham Council, representing the core city and surrounding communities of Broxtowe and Gedling
• Nottinghamshire Council - serving towns, villages, and rural communities across Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark & Sherwood, and Rushcliffe

This model is backed by an independent options appraisal and is considered the best fit for the area’s needs – balancing urban and rural priorities, supporting economic growth, and ensuring financial sustainability.

Proposals will be debated at Full Council meetings on Thursday 20 November before being formally submitted to government on 28 November.

The two council leaders say they believe this approach will cut out confusion, focus effort where it’s needed most, and build councils that puts residents and local businesses first, to meet government requirements for reorganisation.

Cllr Neil Clarke, Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council said: “My priority has always been the residents of the whole county. This proposal is the best one given the evidence – it brings together what works, keeps our communities at the heart of decision-making, and ensures we’re ready for the future. We’ve listened to local views and worked hard to make sure this plan delivers for everyone, wherever they live in Nottinghamshire or Nottingham.”

Timeline

Among the next steps include further data gathering and assessing financial analysis, contracts, procurement, shared services, ICT infrastructure, people services, operations, technology, service synergy, democratic structures, communication and engagement and housing considerations.

The outline timeline of the process is currently:

• Central government consultation on the proposals to be confirmed - likely to be spring 2026

• Government set to respond on the submissions in July 2026

• Expectation by April 2027 a shadow authority to be created
• Possible formal start and vesting day of new Unitary Council April 1, 2028.