The Derbyshire County Council Cabinet approved a recommendation to submit a proposal for a single unitary council for the whole of the Derby and Derbyshire area to the government. The decision followed a debate and vote on 13 November 2025, where the council supported the Uniting Derbyshire proposal. If approved, the new council would aim to simplify local government, improve accountability, and deliver better value for residents.

Local Government Reorganisation

The Cabinet approved recommendations regarding the final proposal for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in the Derby and Derbyshire area, with the aim of creating a single unitary council¹ for the entire region. This decision was made to align with the government's criteria and to ensure the financial stability and improved services for the area.

The key findings of the council's analysis, which assessed LGR options against government criteria, were noted. The analysis included financial modelling supported by PwC, which indicated that a single unitary authority would deliver £98.8 million in savings after five years, with an annual net benefit of £45.1 million from year six onwards. The financial modelling also suggested that creating two unitary councils would cost an additional £80.5 million.

The Uniting Derbyshire Proposal document, which was approved for submission to the government, outlines several key messages:

• Vision and Rationale: The proposal recognises the shared identity and strong communities within Derbyshire and Derby City, while acknowledging that current local government arrangements are complex, costly, and outdated. The aim is to simplify local government, improve accountability, and deliver better value for residents.
• Financial and Operational Benefits: The proposal estimates savings of £100 million over five years and £45 million annually thereafter. These savings would support essential services such as adult social care, children's services, highways, schools, and community safety.
• Economic and Strategic Advantages: A unified council would provide a stronger regional and national voice, supporting economic growth, attracting investment, and promoting regeneration across the area.
• Benefits for Residents: The proposal aims to provide simpler, fairer, and more responsive services across the city and county, with local teams based in towns and neighbourhoods to ensure services remain visible and accessible.
• Implementation and Commitment: The proposal emphasises that change will be managed carefully, collaboratively, and transparently, building on existing partnerships and ensuring continuity of essential services.

The report also considered the impact of disaggregating county council services, particularly in adult social care, children's services, and public health. The analysis suggested that disaggregation would lead to increased costs, less savings, and greater complexity and disruption for residents and partners.

Councillor Alan Graves, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, emphasised the importance of the decision, stating that creating a single, unified council for Derbyshire and Derby City is the right move to secure the area's financial future. He also noted that the proposal builds on the spirit of partnership and brings together the strengths of existing councils to serve all communities more effectively.

Equalities Impact Assessment

The Cabinet also considered an Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) which examined the possible equalities impacts arising from the LGR proposal. The EIA noted that the proposed reorganisation into a single unitary authority is expected to enhance service delivery and equity across Derbyshire. While risks exist, particularly during transition, the proposal includes robust mitigation strategies. The new council will continue to uphold its duties under the Equality Act 2010 and promote inclusive governance, with a commitment to continuous improvement and community-led decision-making.

Other Items

Other items on the agenda included apologies for absence and declarations of interest, but these were of a routine nature and did not require discussion. There were no Minority Group Leader questions raised.