Derbyshire councils claim in a ‘strong position’ to respond to paused Local Government Reorganisation plans

The Entrance To Derbyshire County Council'S County Hall, Off Bank Road, In Matlock

Derbyshire’s ten main councils have insisted they are in a ‘strong position’ to respond to the Government’s decision to pause sweeping Local Government Reorganisation plans for the county.

Councils have been preparing for LGR with plans for the introduction of larger unitary councils between 2027 and 2028 so Derbyshire County Council and the county’s eight borough and district councils and Derby City Council could be replaced with two unitary councils – a Derbyshire North Council and a Derbyshire South Council.

However, The Government confirmed on September 7th that Derbyshire is among 14 areas nationally where reorganisation decisions, made in March and July, are being reviewed raising concerns for the area’s county, city, borough and district councils.

A spokesperson, on behalf of the ten affected Derbyshire councils’ leaders, said: “We are aware of the Government’s announcement regarding a pause to Local Government Reorganisation and are awaiting further details on what this means for future timescales and next steps.

“Over recent months, the 10 councils across Derbyshire have been working closely together to prepare for Local Government Reorganisation, building strong relationships, developing a shared understanding of opportunities and challenges, and laying firm foundations for the future.

“As a result, we are in a strong position to respond constructively to any revised timetable or guidance.

“In the meantime, our focus remains on delivering high-quality services for residents, communities and businesses, while continuing to work collaboratively with our local authority partners. We will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

“As part of the announcement, Government has confirmed that any local elections which were due to take place in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries.”

Derbyshire County Council’s Reform UK administration claims the Government decision came after the Government received new legal advice and faced the threat of judicial reviews from councils across the country.

The county council administration also claims that Derbyshire’s ten affected councils are already on course to spend up to £66m and potentially £81m amidst preparations that had included elections to its two new proposed unitary authorities in May, 2027, followed by a transition period before the new authorities were to take responsibility for local services from April 1, 2028.

Reform UK argues that pausing the LGR plans for Derbyshire and 13 others amounts to a U-turn by ministers and argues that LGR has been rushed and chaotic and has been driven by Whitehall and not local people.

Plans for LGR in four other areas including Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk have been withdrawn altogether after huge sums of money have already been committed to the expected changes.

The county council claims that in Derbyshire more than £16m has already been set aside this year for redundancy and preparation costs including over £26m earmarked for staff exits and £12m for new computer systems.

A further £48m is also due for LGR for Derbyshire, according to Derbyshire County Council, after the planned launch in April, 2028, following elections in May, 2027.

The county council claims timelines have already slipped once and now the whole decision is on hold with no date given for when or even if it will be confirmed.

Derbyshire County Council Leader, Cllr Alan Graves, said: “We said all along that this reorganisation was being rushed and mismanaged from the top down. Our staff, our residents and our councils deserve a straight answer, not another round of guessing games.”

Reform UK is calling on the Government to halt further spending on LGR until it can set out a lawful, workable and lasting plan and can consult Derbyshire’s councils and residents.

Jim MacMahon, Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Growth, said the Government has considered ‘representations’ about the approach and pace of LGR and ‘now is the time to pause’ and a review is planned on the original decisions concerning 14 areas made in March and July.

The Government has previously argued LGR will include elected mayors with more powers on planning and transport and that the changes will create savings, create greater efficiency, improve public services, and support economic growth.

But critics have been concerned about the loss of councils – with Derbyshire reduced from 447 councillors to 162 – the loss of local control with a risk of greater Government influence, the removal of local decision-making, tax increases, powers being taken away from communities and doubts about whether the plans will create savings.

Angela Rayner, The Secretary of State for Housing. Communities and Local Government, told the House of Commons: “This Government are committed to delivering good growth across the country and power in every postcode, with places able to set their own ambitions and integrate services to meet people’s needs.

“Achieving that requires a fundamental rewiring of the state, giving power held by Westminster and Whitehall back to the people and the places where they live and work. As we set out in the Cabinet statement on rewiring the state, effective and sustainable Local Government is the vital foundation of our devolution ambitions.”

Ms Rayner added: “I want to ensure that all those who represent these areas feel fully included in considering their future, and I will update the House at the earliest opportunity. My ministerial team and civil servants from the Department are ready to discuss and work with those representatives.

“My team will proactively reach out to discuss the local implications in detail. My Department remains committed to working in partnership with Local Government, both in this immediate period and in the longer term.”

East Midlands Combined County Authority’s Mayor, Claire Ward, said pausing Derbyshire’s LGR plans is disappointing because of the huge amount of work that has taken place but she understands the challenges faced by the Government.

Ms Ward added: “There will be many people in the region who will be left in a state of confusion about what happens next. My position is that I will work with whatever solution is determined.”

Derbyshire’s ten main councils include: Derbyshire County; Derby City; NE Derbyshire District; Chesterfield Borough; Bolsover District; Derbyshire Dales; High Peak Borough; Amber Valley District; Erewash Borough; And South Derbyshire District.