Greater Nottinghamshire: Our proposal for local government reorganisation
The Government has launched a consultation on LGR in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. You can have your say until 26 March on the LGR Nottinghamshire website.
Vision
Greater Nottinghamshire is ready to shape the next generation of local government, with councils that are simpler to understand, stronger in delivery and designed around the needs of local people.
Two new unitary councils, Nottingham Council and Nottinghamshire Council, will replace nine existing authorities, ending duplication and confusion and creating one clear line of accountability in each area. This is more than structural change; it is a complete reset of how local public services work for you.
The vision creates one new Council based around the energy of a proud Core City and a second Council that grows out of a strong rural County with towns and villages rooted in community, heritage and enterprise.
The Greater Nottinghamshire proposal would mean in the future, you will only need to tell your story once. Whether you need a care package, help with housing or support through your child’s school, services will join up seamlessly behind the scenes.
Local people and businesses will not be passed between departments or organisations. You will experience councils that are easy to reach, quick to respond and accountable for the things that matter, from fixing roads and keeping streets clean to improving schools, running libraries, building new homes, maintaining parks and supporting families. This is the change the Greater Nottinghamshire proposal will deliver.
These will be next generation councils, using data, automation and AI to anticipate need and design services around people’s lives. Shared information will allow early help, prevention and better outcomes, not repeat contact and frustration. Through smarter systems and clearer responsibilities, we will spend less on process and more on delivery, reducing costs, improving results and making every pound go further.
For residents, businesses and communities, the benefits will be something you can actually feel:
- One council to contact for everything local, ending confusion.
- One plan for each neighbourhood, led by a Neighbourhood Committee where you can have real influence over priorities and funding.
- More choice and local ambition, where you can shape how services are delivered, from youth activities to green spaces.
- Shared responsibility between councils and residents, giving you and your community the power to take control of the future.
Rooted in community
Neighbourhoods and communities sit at the heart of the Greater Nottinghamshire proposal. Through Neighbourhood Committees, people will have more say in decisions that affect them, including how parks are maintained, how libraries are used and how streets and public spaces are improved.
Maximising the strengths of our communities, our approaches are anchored in real neighbourhoods. This recognises that people want more choice and control over local services and creates a safe, simple and strong framework for public services.
Geographical areas that support economic growth
The new councils will not only serve residents better; they will create the conditions for economic growth which increases living standards and quality of life. The Greater Nottinghamshire proposal unleashes the potential of the Core City of Nottingham restoring its position as a great British City. The proposal also brings forward nationally and internationally significant investment opportunities that will create new jobs for local people in advanced manufacturing and energy production.
Put simply, the two new Councils will be able to bring more skilled jobs, better housing, and better connections between where people live, work and travel.
The Greater Nottinghamshire proposal creates two new next generation councils in a single tier of local government. Each council would cover a sensible economic area capable of supporting long term growth. Nottingham Council would focus on city based businesses and a more urban population. The Nottinghamshire Council focused on more rural areas, towns and villages. This geography means both Councils would be better able to provide strong public services with clear accountability. Both Nottingham Council and Nottinghamshire Council have a balanced tax base, with neither area dominant or disadvantaged.
The potential for savings and financial sustainability
The Greater Nottinghamshire proposal is built on a shared evidence base jointly created by the nine Nottinghamshire councils and independently appraised. This work indicates that by year three the annual savings from bringing services together and redesigning how they work would be around £122m, with the potential to rise to £189m by year three and up to £235m over five years. More efficient, financially sustainable public services, using your Council Tax and Business Rates wisely.
Our approach to implementation
A clear and comprehensive implementation plan has been developed that is simple to deliver and avoids unnecessary disruption. We have used existing district areas as the building blocks for the new unitary councils. More complex boundary changes that will take longer to deliver and cost more have been tested but these do not evidence improvements in public service or the financial case. A simpler approach will reduce risk for residents, achieve benefits sooner and support a quicker, lower cost transition.
The proposal builds on existing work to modernise services, improve outcomes and support long term sustainability. Widespread engagement with residents, businesses, voluntary and community groups, town and parish councils, strategic partners, the workforce, councillors and trade unions has shaped the proposal.
The Greater Nottinghamshire proposal offers more than structural change. It strengthens the ability of local services to meet the needs and priorities that matter to residents and businesses.
