It follows a period of public engagement in July and August 2025 when we asked local people and partner organisations for their views on 3 options for reducing 10 councils in Derbyshire to 2 – one for the north of the county and one for the south including Derby city.
During this time we began detailed and independent expert analysis of the benefits, costs and risks of the 2-council options by comparing them against those of a single unitary council for the whole area.
Taking everything into account, including financial analysis and feedback from residents, businesses and stakeholders, the best option was found to be one council.
Local savings
Creating a single council covering the whole of Derby and Derbyshire will save at least an extra £100 million over the first 6 years compared to each of the 2-council options and at least an extra £20 million every year from then onwards.
Compared to the current local government system in Derby and Derbyshire, that's a saving of at least £144 million after 6 years and £45.1 million per year from year 6 onwards. There would also be lower set-up costs.
Local views
We carried out extensive work to find out people's views about the options we put forward for creating 2 new unitary councils and more people were opposed to them than were in favour of them.
There was significant concern among residents, businesses and other organisations about splitting the county into more than one authority.
Local identity and services
Creating one new council instead of 2 would unite Derbyshire and retain our proud identity instead of splitting us in 2. It would be less disruptive as essential county council services such as adult care and highways would not need to be split over 2 areas which would be more costly.
Our proposal for a single unitary council for the whole area includes the introduction of area committees and local teams based in towns and neighbourhoods to make sure local needs are reflected in the council's decision making and the delivery of services.
You can read more about the advantages of a one council system for Derby and Derbyshire or read our full Uniting Derbyshire proposal attached to this page.
Next steps
Councillors will be asked to consider making proposals for a single unitary council our preferred option for local government reorganisation in Derby and Derbyshire.
Proposals will be considered at a meeting of our Full Council on 13 November 2025.
This will be followed by a Cabinet meeting on 27 November 2025 to formally approve the final version of the proposal for submission. The deadline for submitting a final proposal to the government is 28 November 2025.
Find out more about the timeline for local government reorganisation in Derby and Derbyshire.
Other proposals
Derbyshire's 8 district and borough councils together with Derby City have put together proposals for creating 2 new unitary councils in Derby and Derbyshire.
Find out more in their proposal document in the Derby City Council meeting agenda on 6 November 2025, item 3 appendix B.