Nottingham boundary expansion plan withdrawn for fresh review

Summarised from 4 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 29 Oct, 17:36 · Archive

The government has withdrawn its proposal to expand Nottingham city's boundaries, putting all options back under consideration. The plan, announced in July as part of the largest local government reorganisation in 50 years, aimed to abolish the current two-tier council structures across England in favour of larger unitary authorities to reduce costs and overlap.

Under the withdrawn proposal, a new Greater Nottingham Council would have covered Nottingham city and parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe. A second Nottinghamshire Council would have served the remainder of those three boroughs, plus Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Newark and Sherwood. This would have meant abolishing all existing councils in the area.

The plan proved contentious. Some council leaders plotted to legally challenge the decision, including Reform-led Nottinghamshire County Council. In early September, after Andy Burnham became Prime Minister, his government announced a pause on local government reorganisation across England while all proposals were reconsidered.

On Thursday 29 October, Jim McMahon, Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Growth, confirmed in the Commons that the July decisions were being withdrawn for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, along with eight other areas. He stated: "We are withdrawing the decisions announced in July" but emphasised this did not mean reorganisation had been cancelled.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: "All options and proposals remain under consideration in these areas and every area will have an outcome by early next year." McMahon added that it should not be assumed the same proposal would be automatically selected, stressing the importance of allowing "full and proper consideration" of all options.

A spokesperson for the nine councils affected said they welcomed the further clarity, though acknowledged disappointment at the delay. Leaders across Nottinghamshire also said they viewed the reconsideration as the "right decision for residents".

How it is being reported

• Leaders say Nottinghamshire boundary shake-up delay the 'right thing to do for residents'The government has confirmed Nottingham City Council's boundary review proposal has been withdrawn, with all options now back on the table for reviewNottinghamshire Live · 29 Oct, 17:26
• County and city boundary shake-up plans put on holdNottingham and Nottinghamshire are among nine areas where plans have been withdrawn and will be reconsidered.BBC Nottingham · 29 Oct, 15:55
• Ashfield councillor says Government has questions to answer over LGR withdrawal moveAn Ashfield councillor says the Government's decision to withdraw its plans for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Nottinghamshire has raised fresh questions about the cost to taxpayers and the uncertainty facing thousands of council employees.Mansfield Chad · 29 Oct, 15:50
• Plan to change local government boundaries in Nottinghamshire withdrawn pending further reviewA plan to expand Nottingham city’s boundaries has been withdrawn by the government while all proposals are reconsidered.Mansfield Chad · 29 Oct, 13:41
• Plan to change local government boundaries in Nottinghamshire withdrawn pending further reviewA plan to expand Nottingham city’s boundaries has been withdrawn by the government while all proposals are reconsidered.Worksop Guardian · 29 Oct, 13:41
• Nottingham city expansion plan withdrawn for fresh reviewThe proposal had proven very contentious, leading to threats of legal challengeNottinghamshire Live · 29 Oct, 13:05

In this story: Nottingham City Council · Nottinghamshire County Council · Jim McMahon · Andy Burnham · Greater Nottingham · Broxtowe · Gedling · Rushcliffe

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