The Government has confirmed that it is reconsidering all the options for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Derbyshire.
In September, councils were advised that the Government’s decision in July 2026 to create two new unitary councils in Derbyshire had been paused to allow a national review of LGR to take place.
On Thursday 29 October the Government confirmed that, although they remain committed to the LGR programme, they have decided to withdraw their decision from July and reconsider all the proposals that were put forward for Derbyshire.
Local elections, including those for Derby City Council, will go ahead in May 2027 on existing council boundaries. Government remains confident that new councils are expected to be established for April 2029, with elections to shadow councils taking place in May 2028.
A new decision on LGR will need to be made, and a further update from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is expected in early 2027.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said:
While LGR is effectively on hold for Derbyshire, I welcome today’s update and look forward to engaging with the MHCLG and receiving clarity on our position in the new year. It’s good to know we have a timeline for a fully tested and robust decision.
Work carried out so far by councils across the county has helped bring strong partnerships and a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges of LGR, placing us in a strong position to respond when further details are announced and a new decision is made.
For now, please be assured that there will be no impact on day-to-day operations, and our focus remains on delivering high-quality services for residents, communities and businesses.