“Derbyshire, including Derby, is facing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shake-up local councils and help to save council tax-payers’ money.
“Central government has announced a major reorganisation of local councils across the country to simplify the system and make it more efficient.
“Government has asked us to look at ways to combine existing councils in Derby and Derbyshire into a smaller number looking after all services for their area, from social care, education, roads and children’s services to bin collections, housing, parks and leisure.
“Following feedback from 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, Full Council will consider whether to move forward to explore a new ‘preferred option’ at a meeting next week (Wednesday 9 July). The new option would still mean reducing the number of councils in Derby and Derbyshire from 10 to two, but with one covering the northern half of the county and a separate council covering Derby and the south.
“It’s vital that we take the time to look at all options to get this right and leave residents and businesses with a Derbyshire that really works for them.”
Derbyshire currently has 2 tiers of council – the county council is the upper tier and 8 district and borough councils are the lower tier. Both are responsible for different services. Derby has a single tier – one council providing all services in the city.
If councillors approve the recommendation to explore and develop a proposal for 2 single-tier councils covering Derbyshire, and Derby, a period of public consultation will follow over the summer to get the views of local people, businesses and other local organisations.