The biggest shake-up to local government in Nottinghamshire in over 50 years is now under active consideration by ministers, following a public consultation that closed on 26 March.
Three competing proposals have been submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. All three would abolish the existing district and county council structure and replace it with larger unitary authorities.
Under the first proposal, backed by Bassetlaw District Council alongside Gedling, Mansfield, and Newark and Sherwood, the county would be split into two new councils. A northern authority called Sherwood Forest would cover Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Gedling, Mansfield, and Newark and Sherwood. A southern authority called Nottingham and South Nottinghamshire would cover Broxtowe, Nottingham, and Rushcliffe.
A second proposal from Nottingham City Council would draw the boundaries differently, splitting some existing council areas. A third proposal from Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe would create a Nottingham City authority covering Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Gedling, with a wider Nottinghamshire authority covering the remaining districts including Bassetlaw.
An independently run public survey found that the north-south split was the preferred option, with around a third of respondents backing it as the best available solution.
Ministers are expected to announce their decision in late spring or summer 2026. If approved, legislation would follow in the summer, with elections to new shadow authorities in May 2027 and the new councils going live in April 2028.
The reorganisation would mean Bassetlaw District Council, which has served the area since 1974, would cease to exist as a standalone authority.
