Government withdraws Derbyshire council restructure plan

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 14:48 · Archive

The Government has withdrawn its approved plan to split Derbyshire into two councils and abolish ten local authorities.

The Government has withdrawn its approved plan to restructure local government across Derbyshire, which had been placed on hold in September. The Local Government Reorganisation scheme would have abolished ten councils and split the county into northern and southern authorities.

Under the plan, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales and North East Derbyshire councils would have been scrapped to form a northern council, along with the upper half of Amber Valley (21 parishes). Derby, Erewash and South Derbyshire councils would have been abolished to create a southern council, with the lower half of Amber Valley (14 parishes) included. The Government said the restructure aimed to simplify local government, enhance public services and save millions of pounds.

The plan proved controversial because it split Amber Valley down the middle between the two new authorities. Amber Valley District Council has started a process with the possibility of legally challenging the decision, following threats of legal action elsewhere across the country.

The Government has confirmed the Derbyshire plan, along with others across the country, has been 'withdrawn', but stated that 'all options remain under consideration' as a review continues. This suggests a restructure could still happen, though no timescales have been decided for when new decisions will be taken.

The further delay is bound to create uncertainty over what local government will look like across the county in coming years, particularly for councils with local elections scheduled for next year. The new authorities had been originally hoped to launch sometime in 2028.

How it is being reported

• Move to abolish Derbyshire councils thrown into doubt after plans ‘withdrawn’A major plan to abolish 10 councils and restructure local government across Derbyshire has been thrown into further doubt.Ilkeston Advertiser · 29 Oct, 14:16
• Move to abolish Derbyshire councils thrown into doubt after plans ‘withdrawn’A major plan to abolish 10 councils and restructure local government across Derbyshire has been thrown into further doubt.Buxton Advertiser · 29 Oct, 14:16
• Major update issued on plan to split Derbyshire in two and abolish multiple councilsGovernment officials have now withdrawn approved proposals that split the county in twoDerbyshire Live · 29 Oct, 14:13

In this story: Derbyshire · Amber Valley · Bolsover · Chesterfield · Derbyshire Dales · North East Derbyshire · Derby · Erewash

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