The Council met on Thursday, 13 November 2025, to discuss and vote on the proposed Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) for Derby and Derbyshire. The Council resolved to support the recommendation to Cabinet that the preferred option to be submitted to the Government should be a single unitary council for the whole Derby and Derbyshire area.

Local Government Reorganisation

Councillor Alan Graves, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, introduced a report detailing the progress of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) initiative. The report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, provided an update on work undertaken since the previous Full Council meeting on 9 July 2025. It highlighted the key findings from the analysis conducted to assess LGR options against Government criteria.

The Council was asked to support the recommendation to Cabinet that the preferred option for submission to the Government be a single unitary council for the entire Derby and Derbyshire area. This proposal, titled Uniting Derbyshire, aims to simplify local government, improve accountability, and deliver better value for residents by creating one unified council.

The report detailed extensive analysis, including financial modelling by PwC, which indicated that a single unitary authority would deliver substantial savings, estimated at £143.9 million over the first six years and £45.1 million annually thereafter. This option was found to have the lowest upfront transition costs and avoids the complexities and expenses associated with disaggregating county council services, which would be necessary in a two-unitary model.

The analysis also considered socio-economic factors, concluding that a single unitary council would best balance these elements, offering a blend of urban and rural areas crucial for service resilience. It was noted that this option aligns most closely with existing administrative and public service boundaries, protecting the historic county boundary and reflecting residents' general preference against a North/South split.

The report outlined four potential options for LGR:

• Option A: A two-unitary model with Amber Valley in the North.
• Option B: A two-unitary model with Amber Valley in the South.
• Option C: A two-unitary model with adjusted boundaries splitting Amber Valley and Derbyshire Dales.
• Option D: A single unitary model for the whole Derby and Derbyshire area.

The options appraisal, which scored each option against six Government criteria, ranked Option D (Single Unitary Model) as the highest performer with a total weighted score of 50, significantly outperforming the other options.

Councillor Graves presented the Uniting Derbyshire proposal document, which outlined the vision for a single council, emphasizing financial and operational benefits, economic advantages, and improved outcomes for residents. Key messages included estimated savings of £100 million over five years, clearer accountability with one budget and one point of responsibility, and a stronger regional voice within the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

Following a motion by Councillor Nigel Gourlay, duly seconded, a recorded vote was taken. The motion to support the recommendation to Cabinet for a single unitary council for the whole Derby and Derbyshire area was carried. Councillors voted 35 in favour, with 17 against and 2 abstentions.

The Council also resolved to ask Cabinet to give due regard to the Council's views when making its final decision to submit the proposal to the Government by the 28 November 2025 deadline. Furthermore, authority was delegated to the Interim Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to make any necessary amendments to the submission document following the Council's feedback.

The meeting concluded at 6:17 pm.