Councils remain split over boundary shake-up

The government asked councils to come up with options for reforming local government

After months of debate and discussion, Nottinghamshire councils have put forward official proposals for reforming local government.

In February, the government asked all authorities to come forward with options to reorganise the system into larger, single-tier bodies.

The government said it will make councils more efficient and cost-effective but it has not been without debate locally - and councils haven't been able to agree on one preference.

As part of the move, nine councils in Nottinghamshire will be streamlined into two authorities.

The city council backed Option 1B(II)

The deadline to submit proposals to the government was 28 November.

The Labour-run city council has backed boundary changes which would see it expand into the urban areas of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe.

Speaking after the authority's executive board meeting, when plans were confirmed this week, leader Neghat Khan said the boundary change option has the backing of the city's three Labour MPs - Lilian Greenwood, Alex Norris and Nadia Whittome.

"This takes in parts of Gedling, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe which align with the urban and rural split," she said.

"This will tackle our issues about council tax," she added.

"80% of our properties are band A and B, so when we put our council tax up we don't generate as much as other places because they've got bigger houses.

"It's not about putting it in the bank, it's about delivering services.

"We're proposing a more fair distribution to make sure the needs of people are being met."

"Our option is slightly more expensive to implement but later on there are better outcomes for people."

The city's option has not been well received by some councillors, who opposed joining the city.

Khan said the criticism amounted to "scaremongering".

Neghat Khan said the city council's option had the backing of local MPs

Nottinghamshire County Council's, led by Reform UK, voted for option 1b.

This option would merge the city, Gedling and Broxtowe as one authority, with another council for the other council areas.

The option was chosen in conjunction with Conservative-led Rushcliffe Borough Council.

County council leader Mick Barton said: "We think it balances well for residents and works all round.

"There's a lot more work to do and we are a long way from the decision making stage yet."

Tory opposition councillors and the Independents said residents in Broxtowe and Gedling did not want to be part of a council including the city.

They accused Reform UK of "betraying" residents in Broxtowe and Gedling and warned they could face higher council tax bills and poorer services.

The county council backed option 1B

Meanwhile, Labour-run Bassetlaw, Gedling, Mansfield, and Newark and Sherwood are supporting a north-south divide option, separating them from the area currently covered by Nottingham, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe councils.

The leaders called the option, known as 1e, "practical and sensible" and having the "greatest potential for delivering on national priorities and improving local outcomes".

Michael Payne, MP for Gedling and Gedling borough councillor for Redhill, also backed the north-south divide option.

He said: "It's also the only option which keeps Gedling separate from the current Nottingham city area.

"My constituents have told me in significant numbers that it's a priority for them, and if it's a priority for them, it's a priority for me as their MP."

The north-south divide option was backed by some authorities

Broxtowe Borough Council held a debate on the issue this week and concluded that it would support none of the options on the table.

The council asked the government to "go back to the drawing board" on plans for local government reform.

Ashfield District Council has remained neutral and did not put forward a preference.

Ministers will now decide which options to choose from before decisions are made in summer 2026.

Elections could be held for the new shadow authorities in May 2027, with the councils coming into effect in 2028.

In Nottinghamshire, the process is far from complete - and the jury is still out on which option the government will choose.