Nottinghamshire County Council Backs Nottingham City Merger with Broxtowe, Gedling

Local government reorganisation proposals are advancing in both Southampton and Nottinghamshire, with councils endorsing mergers to create unitary authorities aimed at improving governance and economic opportunities. In Southampton, leaders from Southampton City Council and Eastleigh Borough Council support merging their areas with parts of the Waterside from New Forest and Test Valley, emphasizing stronger local ties and economic benefits, while New Forest District Council prefers a more rural-focused authority. Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire County Council has backed a plan to merge Nottingham with Broxtowe and Gedling into one unitary authority, with a second authority comprising the remaining districts, reversing earlier opposition to city expansion. This reorganisation aligns with the Labour Government’s English Devolution White Paper, which seeks to consolidate two-tier local authorities into fewer unitary councils by November 2025. The proposals reflect efforts to create councils that better represent local communities, enhance accountability, and leverage shared services and infrastructure. Discussions continue amid varying preferences among local leaders and political groups, with final submissions due to the government later this year.