Conservative councillors at County Hall have reacted angrily to the Government’s decision to back a boundary option that would create two new unitary authorities in Nottinghamshire, claiming it will hand an estimated £250 million of county-owned assets to an expanded Nottingham city council.
Biggest local government change in a generation, say councillors
The reorganisation will replace the current two-tier structure of county and district councils with two single-tier unitary authorities from 2027, prompting Tory opposition figures to accuse ministers of favouring the city at the expense of surrounding towns and rural areas.
Under the chosen option, Nottingham would be enlarged to include parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe. The other new authority would bring together Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood and remaining parts of the three boroughs neighbouring the city. Elections to the new councils are due in May 2027.
“It is an absolute disgrace,”
That was the verdict of Cllr Sam Smith, leader of the Conservative opposition at Nottinghamshire County Council, who said the change would carve up neighbouring boroughs and risk stripping away a large part of the county’s tax base, weakening services for people outside the city.
On Friday, Conservative councillors staged a protest at County Hall using a giant mock cheque for £250m made out to Nottingham City Council and purportedly signed by Reform UK. The stunt was intended to symbolise their claim that public wealth held by the county could be transferred to the expanded city authority.
Concerns over assets and services
Cllr Smith highlighted fears that assets including County Hall could end up being used to benefit city residents rather than those who currently live under the county council’s remit in more rural areas. He said he had raised the issue repeatedly since the reorganisation proposals were first discussed.
- Two new unitary authorities will replace the current nine councils and the county structure.
- Nottingham will expand to take in parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe.
- The remaining boroughs will be grouped into a second unitary authority covering five districts.
| New authority | Areas included |
|---|---|
| Expanded Nottingham authority | Nottingham, parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe |
| Second unitary authority | Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark & Sherwood, plus remaining parts of three boroughs |
Ministers selected Nottingham City Council’s boundary review option on Thursday. Local leaders and campaigners will now be preparing for the introduction of the new governance arrangements and the May 2027 elections, while the row over who ends up with major assets is likely to continue.
For residents, the changes mean a period of transition as responsibilities such as council tax, planning, education and social care move from the current district and county layers to the new unitaries.
Conservative members at County Hall say they will continue to press for protections for county taxpayers and services as the reorganisation proceeds.
