Residents get a say on local government reorganisation

Erewash Borough Council is asking residents what they think of plans for a wholesale reorganisation of local government – which would see the 50-year-old authority cease to exist.

The Government intends to merge councils across England to create larger ones – each serving at least half a million inhabitants.

The proposals spell the end for all the local borough and district councils – plus Derbyshire County Council and Derby City Council. The newly-created East Midlands Combined County Authority, which spans both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, would be the overarching strategic authority for the region – led by its elected mayor.

The merging of smaller councils would result in perhaps just two of them across all of Derbyshire. One of these so-called unitary authorities would include Erewash.

It is not known where their HQs would be. The East Midlands Combined County Authority is led by Claire Ward, who won a vote last year to become the region’s first elected mayor. 

The Government wants to see more elected mayors – claiming they can boost devolution by wielding more clout on behalf of the regions they serve. Details can be found here.  

Erewash – which is one of eight borough and district councils in Derbyshire – has been given barely a month to get together with its neighbours to come up with initial merger plans.

Talks have already taken place ahead of the 21st March deadline. Derby City Council also took part, but the leader of Derbyshire County Council – which is developing separate proposals -- did not attend.

After coming up with an initial submission, Erewash and its neighbours must have more detailed plans in place by 28th November. The Government has indicated it wants the changes to come into force in April 2028.

Erewash is inviting residents to give their views in an online consultation at Letstalk.erewash.gov.uk. It is open until 11.55pm on Sunday 9th March 2025. 

Borough Council leader, James Dawson said: “The plans are one of the biggest shake-ups in local government since Erewash Borough Council came into being half a century ago. It was back in 1974 that three councils were merged to form the authority.

"We want to hear what our residents think about the proposals – so are urging them to take part in the consultation before the March deadline, which is when we have to come up with an initial submission for how local government here might look.”