Local Government Reorganisation

This page brings together key facts about the Government's plans to significantly change the way local councils are set up across England, including in Derbyshire

Here you'll find information on what's happening, the proposals being developed, answers to common questions, and how you can have your say. The page will be updated regularly as the process moves forward.

About Local Government Reorganisation

In late 2024, the Government published a white paper describing a national programme of devolution and reform to local government.

It means that the way local councils in England are organised is being fundamentally changed for the first time in 50 years.

In places like Derbyshire, local services are currently delivered under what is known as a 'two-tier' council structure.

This means that some services are delivered by a borough or district council, and others are provided by Derbyshire County Council. Within Derbyshire, we also have Derby City Council which is a 'unitary' council providing all services to the communities it serves.

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.

Our proposal for consultation

Derbyshire's eight district and borough councils submitted a joint interim proposal to Government in March 2025. Working with the other district and borough councils and Derby City Council, we carried out some further work to develop a proposal which was put out for consultation with the public from 30 June to 10 August 2025.

Thank you to everyone who had their say. Your views will shape the final proposal to Government in November 2025.

A summary of the options which were put out for public consultation is included below.

Together we propose to create two new councils to serve our communities - one in the north and one in the south. 

There are three possible options for how the area currently covered by Amber Valley Borough Council could be included in the new structure: placed entirely in the northern council, entirely in the southern council, or with different parishes joining each of the two councils, depending on where they may best fit. 

We believe this approach will create councils which are big enough to deliver, but close enough to communities to listen and respond to local people.

This is a complex issue, but our key priority is to make sure the needs of our communities are met - proposing new structures that:

• keep 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 - and the staff and funding to continually improve the services residents receive
• protect Derbyshire's historic boundaries in terms of the area councils cover - including the city of Derby, which is a key centre of economic growth
• meet the Government's criteria for reorganisation - if we don't, or where agreement can't be reached, Government has indicated it will impose a solution that they think works best for Derbyshire

You can find out more about the proposal we consulted on in our ​​​​​​​'One Derbyshire, two councils' information booklet (PDF, 2 MB) or visit our frequently asked questions section (PDF, 564 KB). You can also see an outline of the proposal below.

Our Proposal

The Government has asked local councils to work together to draw up proposals for the areas they cover, in line with a range of criteria.

Our proposal would see Derbyshire's 10 existing councils be replaced by two new authorities:

• A council for northern Derbyshire
• A council for southern Derbyshire

Under the proposal, each of the two new councils will deliver all services in their local area.

There are three possible options for how the area currently covered by Amber Valley Borough Council could be included in the new structure: placed entirely in the northern council, entirely in the southern council, or with different parishes joining each of the two councils, depending on where they may best fit.

Option A

A north / south split of the county, with Amber Valley being part of the northern council

Northern council: Amber Valley, Derbyshire Dales, High Peak, Chesterfield, Bolsover, North East Derbyshire (Population: 584,000)

Southern council: Derby City, South Derbyshire, Erewash (Population: 494,000)

Option B

A north / south split of the county, with Amber Valley being part of the southern council

Northern Council: High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield, Bolsover (Population: 456,000)

Southern Council: South Derbyshire, Erewash, Amber Valley, Derby City (Population: 622,000)

Option C

A north / south split of the county, with different parishes from Amber Valley joining each of the two councils, depending on where they best fit.

Northern Council: High Peak, Derbyshire Dales, North East Derbyshire, Chesterfield, Bolsover (Population: 567,000)

(Joined by the following parishes of Amber Valley - Shipley, Heanor and Loscoe, Denby, Kilburn, Belper, Hazelwood, Shottle and Postern, Idridgehay and Alton, Ashleyhay, Alderwasley, Ripley, Codnor, Aldercar and Langley Mill, Ironville, Riddings, Somercotes, Alfreton, Swanwick, Pentrich, South Wingfield, Crich, Dethick, Lea, and Holloway.)

Southern Council: Derby City, Erewash, South Derbyshire (Population: 511,000)

(Joined by the following parishes of Amber Valley - Kirk Langley, Mackworth, Kedleston, Ravensdale Park, Weston Underwood, Quarndon, Windley, Duffield, Holbrook, Horsley, Horsley Woodhouse, Smalley, Mapperley.)

The map below shows the detail of option C - with different parishes from Amber Valley joining each of the two councils, depending on where they best fit.

You can read our One Derbyshire, two councils information pack (PDF, 2 MB) or visit our Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 564 KB) document for more information about what's happening, what's being proposed and how you can have your say on the plans.

Where we are now, and next steps

Our proposal was out for public consultation from Monday 30 June to Sunday 10 August 2025.

It was important that local people, businesses and organisations across Derbyshire had their say  before any final decisions are made. Thank you to everyone who shared their views.

The results will be reviewed and - alongside a range of other evidence to inform how the new councils would best serve the needs of local people - will be used to shape final proposals to be submitted to Government in November.

Government will then review all the local government reorganisation proposals for Derbyshire.

Before implementing any proposal, Government must legally consult any local authority that is affected by the proposal and any other stakeholders, including members of the public. This statutory consultation is expected to take place in early 2026.

The results of the consultation will be used to shape our final proposal to the Government in November 2025.

A Government decision on the final proposals that are submitted for Derbyshire is not expected until spring 2026.

We will keep you updated as things move along - if you would like to keep up with the latest information about local government reorganisation in Derbyshire, please sign up for our newsletter.

Statements issued

20 February - Local Government Reorganisation - joint statement

7 March - Communities put at the heart of local government reorganisation in Derbyshire, as borough, district, and city council leaders outline initial plans

20 March - Councillors approve interim plan for North Derbyshire and South Derbyshire councils

30 June - One Derbyshire, two councils: have your say on the future of local government

18 July - One Derbyshire, two councils: thousands have their say about future of local services

18 August - Local district, borough and city council leaders thank the people of Derbyshire for having their say about the future of council services

Government's proposed timetable