A group of Nottinghamshire councils has published its preferred ‘north-south split’ option for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

But that would still mean residents in Eastwood, Kimberley and the rest of Broxtowe being shunted from the county to the city – something Broxtowe councillors and many residents are against.

Mansfield Council, Bassetlaw Council, Newark & Sherwood Council and Gedling Council have all united to present a proposal that recommends the creation of two new unitary councils that will provide services for residents in the north and south of the county.

These council areas will be Sherwood Forest – comprising the Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Gedling, Mansfield and Newark & Sherwood Council areas – and Nottingham and South Nottinghamshire, comprising the Broxtowe, Nottingham City, and Rushcliffe Council areas.

Towns like Eastwood would become part of Nottingham city under the councils group's proposal. Photo: Google

placeholder image — Towns like Eastwood would become part of Nottingham city under the councils group's proposal. Photo: Google

In a joint statement, the leaders of the four councils – Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams (Lab) (Mansfield), Coun Julie Leigh (Lab) (Bassetlaw), Coun Paul Peacock (Lab) (Newark &Sherwood) and Coun John Clarke (Lab) (Gedling) emphasised their proposal’s potential to deliver ‘lasting change, financial sustainability, and genuine transformation in public services’.

The leaders also acknowledged the concerns raised by residents about the need for reorganisation and the impact it could have on local communities.

They said: “We are incredibly pleased to submit our plan for two new unitary councils that bring neighbouring communities together in a way that makes sense both geographically and economically.

“This proposal will deliver significant efficiency savings and remove the confusion and duplication that is caused by the current system of county and district councils.

"Our proposal carries the potential to improve local services and enhance the prosperity of our areas through stronger economic and housing growth, and it brings communities together that have a common connection.

"Since this process began in February, we have worked collaboratively with all councils throughout this intense period.

"However, we must be realistic about what will deliver the best outcome for our residents, and this is the most sensible option."

The proposals are part of the biggest shake-up of local government in more than 50 years, following the Government’s announcement in February to fundamentally overhaul how local councils are run.

If approved, all nine existing councils would be abolished and replaced with two brand-new unitary councils.

Since February, councils have been debating two options.

The first, known as 1b, was to create a new unitary authority combining Nottingham, Broxtowe and Gedling, with a second new unitary authority of Mansfield, Ashfield, Newark & Sherwood, Bassetlaw and Rushcliffe.

The other option, the north-south model, known as option 1e, was to create a new unitary authority combining Nottingham City, Broxtowe, and Rushcliffe, with a second new unitary authority for the rest of Nottinghamshire – Mansfield, Ashfield, Newark & Sherwood, Bassetlaw and Gedling.

The four leaders of Mansfield, Bassetlaw, Gedling and Newark & Sherwood Councils, said option 1e received the strongest support during the engagement process with feedback from the engagement showing around a third of respondents viewing it positively, particularly for its clearer north-south split and perceived geographic split.

However, only last month, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe Councils announced their proposal was more in line with option 1B with Broxtowe and Gedling becoming part of the city and the rest forming a new county council.

Back in August, the Reform-led county council also expressed a preference for option 1b.

In both cases though, Broxtowe would move from the new county to the new city council.

However, while Nottinghamshire councils continue to opt for proposals based on option 1b or 1e, the Labour-controlled city council has also talked of an alternative option which would see the city’s boundaries extended into parts – but not all – of the neighbouring boroughs of Rushcliffe, Gedling and Broxtowe.

Under that proposal, areas like Eastwood, Kimberley, Giltbrook, Greasley, Brinsley and Newthorpe would all remain out of the city and in the county, while Beeston, Toton, Bramcote, Stapleford and Nuthall would go into the city’s boundaries.

The Mansfield, Bassetlaw, Gedling and Newark & Sherwood leaders continued: “Listening carefully to our residents, we know that there are some concerns around LGR but our proposal recognises these and looks at ways we can address them head on.

"We know that Government has mandated local government reform, and failure to put through a sensible proposal, such as ours, could mean that Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are given an option that is not the best for the people.

"Therefore, we have carefully listened to the feedback received so far, and will continue to do so, to shape what we believe is the very best option for all.

“We would like to thank residents across Nottinghamshire for their engagement in this process.

"We now await the Government’s final decision on what happens next.”

The preferred option will now go to councils for approval before being submitted to Government for consideration.

There will then be a period of Government engagement on all options presented by Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

The current nine councils across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are expected to be abolished on March 31 next year, with the two new councils beginning the following day.