Local government reorganisation – what you need to know

The government is planning to simplify how councils operate in Derby and Derbyshire – a process known as local government reorganisation.

Currently, local government in Derbyshire is split into 2 tiers:

• Derbyshire County Council is the largest provider of council services in Derby and Derbyshire and runs large scale services including education, adults and children's social care, waste disposal and highways across the county
• 8 district and borough councils which focus on more localised services including social housing, homelessness, leisure and waste collections in smaller areas

Derby City Council is a unitary council which means it delivers all services within the city.

This 2-tier system has been in place since 1974. The way we live our lives and do business has changed significantly, so the government asked us to rethink things and create a new council or councils by 2028.

This new 'unitary' council or councils would bring all council services for a particular area under one roof, except services provided by town and parish councils which would remain unchanged. The aim is to create a system which is simpler and more efficient, saving money and making it clearer which council is responsible for what.

Why this matters for Derby and Derbyshire

Government asked councils to submit a 'preferred option' for local government reorganisation in Derby and Derbyshire.

Our residents deserve a modern, efficient and effective system of local government that can meet current and future challenges and support the area to grow and prosper, working closely with the East Midlands Combined County Authority.

We submitted a 'preferred option' to the government which we believe recognises these benefits and:

• is in the best interests of local Derby and Derbyshire residents and businesses
• delivers better results and value for money for local taxpayers
• maintains the county's strong identity and delivery of high-quality local services
• doesn't create an undue advantage or disadvantage for one part of the area

This proposal was considered at a meeting of our Full Council on 13 November 2025 and the final version was formally approved by Cabinet on 27 November 2025. We submitted our final proposal to the government on 28 November 2025.

Seven of Derbyshire’s district and borough councils, and Derby City Council, submitted a separate plan to create two new unitary councils to cover the whole of the county, with one in the north and one in the south.