Plan to change local government boundaries in Nottinghamshire withdrawn pending further review
A plan to expand Nottingham city’s boundaries has been withdrawn by the government while all proposals are reconsidered.
The largest local government shake-up in 50 years was announced back in December 2024 by the Labour government.
Its aim was to abolish the current two-tier council structures across England in favour of larger unitary authorities, to reduce costs and overlap.
In July, the government announced its preferred option for its local government reorganisation (LGR) programme, and Nottingham City Council’s bid to expand the city’s boundaries was accepted.
Under this plan, a new Greater Nottingham Council would cover Nottingham city and parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe.
A second Nottinghamshire Council would then serve the remainder of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe, as well as Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Newark and Sherwood.
However, the plans proved contentious, and some council leaders plotted to legally challenge the decision – including Reform-led Nottinghamshire County Council.
It has now been confirmed that Nottingham City Council’s boundary review proposal has been withdrawn.
Speaking in the Commons Jim McMahon, Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Growth, said he had tested the programme framework and concluded it was “robust”.
While he said the government was minded to press ahead with reorganisation in five areas, more time is being taken on Nottinghamshire’s plans before reaching a view.
“We are withdrawing the decisions announced in July. I want to be absolutely clear, this is not a reflection of the work underpinning those proposals. I can now set out the plan for the final phases of the review.
“The review will now focus on the 15 areas that are due to have minded-to decisions.
“To be clear, all options and proposals in these areas will remain under consideration, and I will approach all of those with an open mind.
“As such, it should not be assumed the same proposal will be automatically selected. It is important to allow the process to run its course and to allow full and proper consideration.
“We will move faster where we can and some of the remaining areas may receive an outcome decision before others. I commit to coming back to the house with updates for another set of areas by Christmas, and every area will have an outcome by early next year.”
Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Katie Lam, described the government’s LGR programme as a “farce.”