Process

In December 2024, Central Government announced plans (gov.uk) for the biggest reorganisation of local government in England in over 50 years.  

Initial proposals for LGR in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire were submitted to government on 21 March 2025.  

Final proposals were submitted to government for consideration on 28 November 2025. The government launched a consultation on 5 February 2026 which was open for seven weeks for residents to have their say on the proposals.

What proposals were submitted for LGR in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire?

Three proposals were submitted to government by seven of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire councils in November 2025, all of which would replace the current nine councils with two new unitary councils, but with different boundary options.  

These options were: 

Option 1b 

This option was supported by Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council. This proposal recommended the creation of two new unitary councils: 

  • Nottingham Council comprising Broxtowe, Gedling, and Nottingham City. 
  • Nottinghamshire Council comprising Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, and Rushcliffe. 

A summary of their joint proposal is available to read here: Summary of option 1b joint proposal. 

Option 1e

This option was supported by Bassetlaw District Council, Gedling Borough Council, Mansfield District Council, and Newark and Sherwood District Council. This north-south proposal recommended the creation of two new unitary councils:  

  • Sherwood Forest (North Nottinghamshire) comprising Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Gedling, Mansfield, and Newark and Sherwood. 
  • Nottingham and South Nottinghamshire (South Nottinghamshire) comprising Broxtowe, Nottingham City, and Rushcliffe.  

A summary of their joint proposal is available to read here: Summary of option 1e joint proposal. 

A copy of their full joint proposal is available to read here: Option 1e joint proposal. 

A copy of the appendices to accompany the joint proposal is available to read here: Option 1e joint proposal - appendices. 

Option Bii

In the interim submission feedback received in June 2025, the government indicated to councils that it would consider boundary reviews as part of final submissions where appropriate. 

Nottingham City Council chose to pursue this option, and a further options appraisal exercise was completed to provide a like-for-like comparison of the potential benefits and risks. You can read this in full on our website: Options Appraisal for Nottingham City Council’s boundary review. 

This option recommended the creation of two new unitary councils:  

  • Southwest comprising parts of Broxtowe, Gedling, and Rushcliffe combined with Nottingham City. 
  • North and East comprising parts of Broxtowe, Gedling, and Rushcliffe combined with Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, and Newark and Sherwood.  

A summary of this proposal is available to read here: Summary of option Bii proposal. 

A copy of this proposal is available to read here: Option Bii proposal (nottinghamcity.gov.uk). 
A copy of the appendices to accompany this proposal is available to read here: Option Bii proposal appendices (nottinghamcity.gov.uk). 

Broxtowe Borough Council and Ashfield District Council position

Two councils (Broxtowe Borough Council and Ashfield District Council) chose not to support these proposals. 
Broxtowe Borough Council has further information about its position on LGR on its website: LGR (broxtowe.gov.uk).  
 

What happens next? 

On Thursday 16 July 2026, the government confirmed that it had decided, as part of the local government reorganisation (LGR) process, to implement the proposal brought forward by Nottingham City Council which will replace the nine existing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire councils and create two, single-tier unitary councils.

This would create two new councils; 

  • One covering the current local government areas of Nottingham City and parts of Broxtowe, Gedling, and Rushcliffe.
  • And one covering the current local government areas of Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, and parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe.

A map is available to find out which authority your postcode would be part of when they are created in 2028. Check your address here: Address checker. 

In the short term, there will be no change to existing services. All services currently delivered by the nine affected councils will continue as normal. 

Work will now begin on the transition towards the creation of the two new unitary councils. Elections for these will take place in May 2027, followed by the creation of shadow authorities ahead of the new councils being formally established in April 2028. The government has more information about its timeline on its website: Summary of LGR process (gov.uk).