LGR is a government-led process that will change the structure and responsibilities of local councils. We will move away from the current two+ tier system of having both district and county councils across the UK, including in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Currently some services you receive are operated by the county council and others by a district or borough council. Instead, we will move to a one tier system of unitary councils where one council delivers all the services you receive. You can find out more about our current system on our website.
FAQs
The below may answer some of your questions around LGR in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. If you do have any questions not answered here, please contact your council.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)?
2. Why is this happening and what does it mean for residents?
The government believe that unitary councils can further improve and modernise council services while reducing costs. Unitary councils offer a simple structure making it clearer who you should go to for local services and issues. It also means that more central Government services could be devolved or passed down to unitary authorities to deliver, pushing decision-making closer to the people and communities that are affected by those decisions.
The most important thing is that you will still receive the services that you want and need. Our aim is to make them more efficient and easier to access by reducing confusion over which council does what and who you go to. Our aim is to also ensure a smooth and seamless transition resulting in joined up services which support our communities.
3. Which councils are involved?
All nine councils in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are part of this process:
- Ashfield District Council
- Bassetlaw District Council
- Broxtowe Borough Council
- Gedling Borough Council
- Mansfield District Council
- Newark and Sherwood District Council
- Nottinghamshire County Council
- Nottingham City Council
- Rushcliffe Borough Council
4. What changes are being proposed?
Find out more about the proposals considered here.
5. Can residents have a say?
People across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are currently being invited to share their views on the future of local government via an online survey aimed at gathering 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 and is available on our website. The survey will be open until 11pm on Sunday 14 September and offers anyone with an interest in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, from residents to businesses, the opportunity to learn more about LGR and share their views.
6. What is the timeline around LGR in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire?
Initial proposals for LGR in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire were submitted to government on 21 March 2025. Final proposals are due to be submitted to government for consideration and decision by 28 November 2025. The government anticipate that it will launch a consultation in the New Year, and it would likely close after local elections in May 2026. Following this, decisions on which proposal to implement could be announced in the summer. New elections to unitary authorities could be held on 6 May 2027. The new authorities could then go live on 1 April 2028. This, of course, is subject to change. The government have more information about its timeline on its website.
7. Will I be able to choose which council I belong to?
No. Boundaries will be proposed based on evidence and consultation. The government will make the final decision.
8. What happens if councils can’t agree?
We are all working together to ensure that the needs of our residents are at the heart of our final proposal/s. If local agreement isn’t reached, the government can impose a structure.
9. What’s the government’s criteria for future unitary authorities?
In summary, the government have advised that council proposals for new unitary councils should:
- use existing district areas as the building blocks for proposals and
- aim to submit one proposal for the defined area.
In summary, each proposed unitary area should:
- aim for a population of 500,000 or more or explain why a smaller population would better serve the area,
- support devolution arrangements,
- meet local needs and
- prioritise high quality and sustainable public services.
The full criteria are available on the government website.
10. Will my Council Tax go up?
We don’t know what Council Tax will be set as yet, and this will be a decision for the new unitary council(s).
11. Will I still receive the same services?
Yes. Council services, which include those such as waste collection, planning, education, and social care, will continue. Our aim is to make them more efficient and easier to access by reducing confusion over which council does what and who you go to. Our aim is also to ensure a smooth and seamless transition resulting in joined up services, for example social care (currently a County Council function) will work even more closely with health, housing and support services (currently a district / borough council function) which support our communities.
12. Will I still be able to contact my local council easily?
Yes. Whether there’s one, two, or three new councils, you’ll still have clear ways to get in touch—by phone, online, or in person. Local office access points will still be available. You can still get in touch with your existing borough, county, city, or district council up until the transition to the new unitary council(s).
13. What will happen to local councillors? Will there be an election?
If the structure changes, there would be new elections to choose councillors for the new council(s).
14. Where can I find out more information?
Below are some useful links if you want to find out more about LGR:
The Local Government Association has lots of helpful information about LGR including a video explaining what it is all about.
The government website contains news updates and supporting documents relating to its programme of LGR in England. The government have produced a really helpful summary of the LGR process on its website.