People across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are being invited to share their views on the future of local government.
The survey aims to gather public feedback on what matters most to local people and organisations, to help shape new authorities’ priorities.
The six-week survey is being led jointly by all nine councils in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. It closes on September 14th.
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.
It is being proposed that two new unitary councils should be created for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to replace the current nine.
Two core options are currently being considered:
- A new unitary authority combining Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Gedling, with a second new unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire; Mansfield, Ashfield, Newark and Sherwood, Bassetlaw and Rushcliffe. This is known as 1b.
- A new unitary authority combining Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Rushcliffe, with a second new unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire; Mansfield, Ashfield, Newark and Sherwood, Bassetlaw and Gedling. This is known as 1e.
At this stage, no final decision has been made on a single option, and some councils could still explore additional proposals alongside the two core options currently being considered.
Gedling Borough Council's recommendation is option 1e.
Have your say here: Consultation