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Local Government Reorganisation

In Derbyshire

How Did We Get Here? What are the next steps?

How Did We Get Here?


16 DEC 2024
White Paper on Local Government Devolution is released 

Government publishes the English Devolution White Paper, proposing to simplify the two-tier structure of local government into a single unitary council.

5 FEB 2025
Principal Authorities invited to submit initial proposals

The Government sends out statutory invitations to all two-tier areas to submit interim reorganisations proposals.

21 FEB 2025
County Council announces 'One Derbyshire' approach

County Council leader Barry Lewis confirms DCC will be submitting a single 'One Derbyshire' unitary which would incorporate all district and borough councils in Derbyshire other than the City.

7 MAR 2025
District and Borough Councils propose North and South Derbyshire

All eight district and borough councils agree proposals to split Derbyshire into a North and South unitary split. 

North Derbyshire would comprise of Amber Valley, High Peak, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, NE Derbyshire and Bolsover.

South Derbyshire would comprise of Erewash, South Derbyshire and the City of Derby.

2 MAY 2025
Reform UK take control of Derbyshire County Council

Following the Derbyshire County Council elections, Reform UK takes overall control of the Council leaving it unclear what position the new administration will take to reorganisation.

3 JUN 2025
Initial Government Feedback

The Government announces that it has provided initial feedback to all responses that were submitted by principal authorities and allocates £7.6 million to help Council develop detailed proposals. 

What are the next steps?


Option A

  • Northern Council: Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, Chesterfield, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire

    (Population: 584,000)

  • Southern Council: Derby City, South Derbyshire, Erewash

    (Population: 494,000)

Option B

  • Northern Council: High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield, Bolsover

    (Population: 456,000)

  • Southern Council: Derby City, South Derbyshire, Erewash, Amber Valley

    (Population: 622,000)

Option C

  • Northern Council: High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield, Bolsover, and some Amber Valley parishes
    (Population: 567,000)

  • Southern Council: Derby City, South Derbyshire, Erewash, and some Amber Valley parishes
    (Population: 511,000)

The government’s consultation on Local Government Reorganisation is now closed March 26 2026 

 

DALC'S Consultation Response The government has announced today its decision on the new structure of Derbyshire under LGR. There will be two unitary authorities – North and South – replacing DCC, Derby City Council, and the eight districts and boroughs.Local Government Reorganisation: update for Derbyshire

DALC'S Consultation Response 

The consultation period for responding to the proposed changes to principal authorities closed on 26th March and I hope that many of you took the time to respond to the proposals. DALC also submitted a response which did not comment on the specific options but did make a case for parish and town councils to be involved in the process both during and after reorganisation. The full response can be found here Consultation Response 


 


 The new structure of Derbyshire under LGR.

 

The government has announced today its decision on the new structure of Derbyshire under LGR. There will be two unitary authorities – North and South – replacing DCC, Derby City Council, and the eight districts and boroughs.


Please note these changes will be implemented from 1 April 2028.

The split will put Bolsover DC, Chesterfield BC, Derbyshire Dales DC, High Peak BC and parts of Amber Valley in the north, while the South will be made up of Derby City Council, Erewash BC, South Derbyshire DC, and parts of Amber Valley BC.

We understand that Amber Valley will be split as follows:

Heanor and Loscoe, Hazelwood, Shottle and Postern, Idridgehay and Alton, Ashleyhay, Alderwasley, Ripley, Codnor, Aldercar and Langley Mill, Ironville, Riddings, Ravensdale Park, Turnditch and Windley, Somercotes, Alfreton, Swanwick, Pentrich, South Wingfield, Crich, Dethick, Lea, and Holloway, Weston Underwood will be in the north;
Belper, Denby, Kilburn, Kirk Langley, Shipley, Mackworth, Kedleston, Quarndon, Duffield, Holbrook, Horsley, Horsley Woodhouse, Smalley and Mapperley will be in the south.

Further information is due to be put on the gov.uk website later today.


Local Government Reorganisation: update for Derbyshire

The government has provided a further update on its review of the Local Government Reorganisation programme.

On 29 October, ministers confirmed that the previous decision on reorganisation for Derbyshire and Derby has been withdrawn. The area remains under review, with all options and proposals still being considered. This does not mean that reorganisation has been cancelled.

The government has committed to providing outcomes for all remaining areas by early 2027, with further announcements expected before Christmas.

Elections and proposed timetable

Local elections scheduled for May 2027 will proceed on existing council boundaries. The government’s revised timetable provides for elections to new councils in May 2028, followed by the new authorities taking responsibility in April 2029, subject to final decisions and the necessary parliamentary approval.

Parish and town councils

Parish and town councils remain an essential part of local government, representing their communities and delivering local services.

DALC will continue to keep member councils informed as further details become available. NALC will continue to represent the interests of parish and town councils throughout the review process