The Government has formally named the two new single‑tier authorities that will replace Nottinghamshire’s existing nine councils, setting in train a major reorganisation of local democracy that will cut the number of councillors across the city and county by more than 200.
What has been announced
In a letter sent to councils on 30 July, Beatrice Andrews, deputy director for local government reorganisation, confirmed the new bodies will be called the Greater Nottingham Council and the Nottinghamshire Council. The letter reiterates that current councils will retain responsibility for services until they are formally abolished on 1 April 2028.
“Your councils will remain responsible for services in your areas until they are abolished on April 1, 2028, and will be under a duty to co‑operate with each other and with the new councils.”
The announcement follows the Government’s decision earlier this summer to accept Nottingham City Council’s proposal for the new boundaries after months of debate between neighbouring authorities. The change forms part of the Labour Government’s wider local government reorganisation programme.
Which areas will sit in each new council
The make‑up of the two new authorities reflects a split between the city and its immediate suburbs, and the more rural and former district council areas to the north and east of the county.
- Greater Nottingham Council will include Nottingham city plus parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe — specifically 15 wards from Broxtowe, 15 from Gedling and 17 from Rushcliffe.
- Nottinghamshire Council will cover Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood and include parts of Broxtowe, Gedling and Rushcliffe — five Broxtowe wards, four Gedling wards and seven Rushcliffe wards.
Under the new arrangements, each authority will have 99 councillors, reducing the total number of councillors across the county and city from 408 to 198.
| Metric | Current | After reorganisation |
|---|---|---|
| Number of councils | 9 | 2 |
| Number of councillors | 408 | 198 |
| Councillors per new authority | — | 99 |
Transition and elections
The letter sets out the transitional framework. An implementation team will be established, drawing officers from the existing councils, and will be led by a designated implementation lead. The new councils will have “shadow” status after elections in May 2027, during which they will prepare budgets and plans to take over full responsibilities on the vesting day of 1 April 2028.
The Government emphasised a statutory duty for predecessor councils to co‑operate through the handover period. That means existing services — planning, social care, waste collection and others — remain the responsibility of current councils until the abolition date.
Local impact and next steps
The change is the most extensive shake‑up of local government in the county for half a century. For residents, it will mean different patterns of representation and, potentially, changes to how and where services are delivered. Political control and the detailed distribution of seats will be decided in the 2027 elections.
In the months ahead, councils will need to work together on budgets, staffing, assets and contracts to ensure services continue uninterrupted during the transition. For local people wanting to follow progress, the implementation team and the shadow council processes should publish timetables and consultation points over the coming year.
This is an evolving story with practical consequences for voters, council staff and service users across Nottingham and the wider county. Further coverage will track preparations for the 2027 elections, the composition of the implementation team and how responsibilities are transferred day‑to‑day during the two‑year handover.
