Local Government Reorganisation

Local government is changing.

The Government wants to replace councils in the remaining two-tier areas (where county councils exist alongside district and borough councils and smaller unitary councils) with a simpler and more efficient system as part of Local Government Reorganisation (known as LGR).

It has decided to create more unitary councils across England to deliver the full range of local authority services. In Derbyshire, it means all existing districts, boroughs, the county council and Derby City Council will be abolished in March 2028.

Following the submission of proposals to reorganise council areas by the affected councils, in November 2025, and a Government statutory consultation in February and March 2026, the Government made the decision on 16 July 2026 to replace the 10 councils in Derbyshire with two new unitary councils:

Derbyshire North Council - taking in High Peak, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, Bolsover, northern part of Amber Valley
Derbyshire South Council - taking in Derby, South Derbyshire, Erewash, southern part of Amber Valley

The new unitary councils will begin operating from April 2028.

There are no immediate changes to council services, and residents should continue to access services in the usual way. The existing councils' priority remains delivering high-quality services for our communities while we work through the next stage of the process.

This page brings together key facts about the Government's plans to reform local government in Derbyshire.

Here you'll find information on what's happening, the proposals being developed, answers to common questions, and how local people have been involved and consulted.

The page will be updated regularly as the process moves forward.

Between them, these councils are responsible for a vast range of local services. The county council provides things like social care for children and adults, education services and transport, while district and borough councils are responsible for services such as bin collections, planning, and leisure centres. Derby City Council provides all of these council services to the communities it serves.

This structure dates back to 1974. The way we live our lives has changed substantially since then, and the Government believes services could be delivered more efficiently and effectively by having fewer councils.

In February 2025, the Government asked local councils to work together to draw up initial proposals for new organisations that are:

simpler and more efficient
better value for money
closer to communities
able to deliver joined-up services

Working together on local proposals - One Derbyshire, Two Councils

In response to the Government's call for local councils to work together, Derbyshire's eight district and borough councils, and Derby City Council, worked in partnership to draw up a joint proposal.

Our 'One Derbyshire, Two Councils' case for change set out a plan for Derbyshire's 10 existing councils to be replaced by two new authorities to deliver all services in their local area. We propose the creation of:

a council for northern Derbyshire
a council for southern Derbyshire

The proposal identifies four possible options to shape the geography and boundary lines of the new councils (please see our FAQs for more information about these options).

FAQs (PDF, 91 KB)

Engaging with the public

Local residents, businesses, public sector partners and community and voluntary groups were invited to have their say on our One Derbyshire, Two Councils proposal in engagement activity which ran from 30 June to 10 August 2025.

This included a survey, in which over 7,300 residents participated, the facilitation of 27 in-person sessions that included hundreds of conversations, and interviews with all our key partners including the NHS, police and local businesses, that all provided valuable insights and information.

The results have helped to shape our final 'One Derbyshire, Two Councils' case for change and proposals - thanks to everyone who had their say.

The benefits of our One Derbyshire, Two Councils approach

This is a complex issue - but the people and places of our historic county have been at the heart of our work to develop a proposal for Derbyshire.

Our shared vision proposes a future where services are simpler, communities feel supported, and every part of our county thrives - together with a commitment to significantly transform the services that local people rely on.

We proposed a new two-unitary structure that:

Keeps councils connected to local people - big enough to deliver but close enough to listen and respond to local needs.
Can provide effective and value for money services - with the vision and financial stability to transform the services residents receive.
Preserves local identity and protects Derbyshire's historic boundaries, cultural heritage and environmental assets.
Meets the Government's criteria for reorganisation. These include:
- Providing high quality and sustainable public services
- Working together to understand and meet local needs
- Creating opportunities for stronger community engagement and neighbourhood empowerment
- Improving efficiency, capacity and financial resilience
- Supporting devolution

Where we are now, and next steps

Following consideration by each of the councils' decision-making meetings in November 2025, we submitted our final case for change and proposals for local government reorganisation in Derbyshire.

A detailed proposal was produced and can be read here:

Proposal – Case for Change (PDF, 16 MB)
Case for Change Proposal - A (PDF, 255 KB)
Case for Change Proposal - A1 (PDF, 274 KB)
Case for Change Proposal - B (PDF, 322 KB)
Case for Change Proposal - B1 (PDF, 374 KB)

Derbyshire County Council developed its own proposal, which was submitted to the Government separately.

The Government reviewed all proposals submitted for Derbyshire. Before implementing any proposal, it must legally consult any local authority that is affected by the proposal and any other stakeholders, including members of the public. This statutory consultation took place in February and March 2026.

It made its final decision about which model of local government reorganisation will be implemented in July 2026 (as above).

Elections for new shadow authorities are planned to take place in May 2027, and the new councils would start to operate from April 2028.

High Peak Borough Council will cease to exist at the end of March 2028, along with its Strategic Alliance with Staffordshire Moorlands District Council in Staffordshire.

We will keep you updated as things move along.

You can also find out more in our Frequently Asked Questions document which will be updated as the process develops.

FAQs (PDF, 91 KB)