Local government reorganisation timeline

The timeline for local government reorganisation has been set by central government.

Here's what's happening next:

• July 2026 – the government announces its decision on the way forward for each area
• May 2027 – elections for new unitary councils across the country take place and will be set up in 'shadow' form
• 1 April 2028 – new unitary councils become operational

Our journey so far:

• March 2025 – initial proposal submitted to the government for one single unitary council on the current county footprint, with Derby remaining in its current form as a city unitary council
• May 2025 - feedback from the government that our proposal must include a clear single option and geography for the whole of the area (Derby City and Derbyshire), not partial coverage
• June and July 2025 – public and stakeholder engagement to gather views about options for creating 2 councils in Derby and Derbyshire – one for the north of the county and one for the south including the city
• August to October 2025 – detailed and independent expert analysis of the benefits, costs and risks of 2-council options continues
• 5 November 2025 – report to Full Council published recommending a single unitary council for the whole of Derby and Derbyshire
• 13 November 2025 – Full Council voted in favour of Cabinet proposing one single council for the whole of Derby and Derbyshire as the council's preferred option
• 27 November 2025 – Cabinet formally approved the final version of the proposal for submission
• 28 November 2025 – final proposal submitted to government
• 5 February 2026 - government consultation on all proposals submitted went live.
• 26 March 2026 – the government consultation on all proposals submitted for Derby and Derbyshire closed.