People across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are being invited to share their views on the future of local government.
Now, Leader of Nottingham City Council, Councillor Neghat Khan, shares her thoughts on Local Government Reorganisation, as she announces Nottingham City Council’s intention to explore potential boundary changes as part of the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) process. She said:
In February 2025, the Government asked local authorities to take part in the biggest shake up of local government in over 50 years, by formally asking them to submit proposals to create new structures of unitary authorities.
It was a big ask, with tight timescales, and since then, alongside the eight other councils in Nottinghamshire, we’ve been working hard to review data from across the region, and pull together options, that were submitted to Government as part of an initial joint Interim Plan, eventually whittling down to two core options – known as 1b and 1e.
Our joint Interim Plan contained one of the most comprehensive datasets in the country, but it still showed minimal differences between the two core options in terms of benefits.
So how do you decide between two options with no significant differences? My view is that you don’t. Devolution and local government reorganisation at this scale presents a once in a lifetime opportunity to reshape how we deliver services and set things up differently for the next generation. And though both of these options could deliver for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, shouldn’t we consider other options, to ensure LGR delivers the best outcomes for local communities for the next 50 years to come?
That’s why when Government responded to our Interim Plan and indicated that it would consider boundary reviews as part of final submissions, I knew we should be considering this in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
The reality is that the current city boundaries – set in 1997 – doesn’t reflect the “real” Nottingham. We know that Nottingham has changed and it’s time we set a boundary that reflects where we are now, recognising that this isn’t just about today, but about the next 50 years.
While our official population is 328,000, the built-up area of our city is home to over 750,000 people. We know that many more call Nottingham home and we can’t let outdated boundaries or personal preference restrict the scale of what we think is right for Nottingham. These are people who live in the suburbs, work in the city, and enjoy the benefits the city offer. But because of out-of-date boundaries, they can’t vote in city elections or have a say in how services are run in Nottingham. Options 1b and 1e, whilst workable, split the Nottingham conurbation, fail to include its surrounding suburbs and fail to address the city and wider county’s needs for the future. I believe they are less likely to deliver the housing and economic growth needed for the future.
None of the current councils will exist – new councils will come in their place. So, this isn’t about the city council land-grabbing. What’s needed now is a mature approach to what is best for the region, not for me personally, but for you, the people of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. This is about long-term sustainability, and a thriving city supports the whole county, not just the city.
We believe LGR presents a crucial opportunity to address this, and other key issues, and that the most sustainable model for the future, is the creation of two new authorities: one focused on the city’s growth and urban services, and a separate county authority to deliver services and promote growth across the wider geography of towns and villages.
This is about a shared future for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and I need to hear from you. I urge all residents and businesses to share your views by completing the survey online: www.lgrnotts.org
I am personally committed to ensuring that any change leads to new, financially sustainable councils with the capacity to provide effective services to all residents of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
I will continue to work with my neighbouring Leaders to ensure that LGR delivers the best outcomes for local communities – we currently have varying views on what models achieve that – but my commitment to you is that I will strive to deliver the best possible outcomes for Nottingham, above all else, because that is what you deserve.
I urge all residents and businesses to share your views by completing the survey online: www.lgrnotts.org
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Share your views
People across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are being invited to share their views in a six-week survey, being led jointly by all nine councils in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, that aims to gather public feedback on what matters most to local people and organisations, to help shape new authorities’ priorities.
The survey will be open until midnight on Sunday 14 September and offers anyone with an interest in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, from residents to businesses, the opportunity to learn more about LGR and share their views.
You can access the survey online www.lgrnotts.org
The city is considering a boundary review model that could look like this. Views are being asked for, and no final decisions have been made
Local Government Reorganisation – what it means
The decision to launch a local government reorganisation 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, 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.
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
The views of people shared in this survey will feed into the development of final proposals, which must be submitted to government by 28 November 2025.
Government will then review proposals before making a final decision on the LGR option for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – as well as 20 other council areas across England – in the Summer of 2026.