Nottinghamshire County Council has issued a claim for judicial review over the government’s proposals for local government reorganisation (LGR) in the county.

The council has taken this step following careful consideration of matters relating to the government’s decision-making process. The claim will now be considered through the court process.

This follows the ‘pause’ to proceedings announced by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner last month.

Coun Mick Barton, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "What we’ve been looking for from the beginning is a clear explanation as to how this decision was reached and the evidence it was based on.

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“This is about openness, transparency and accountability. Decisions that will shape local government in Nottinghamshire for decades to come should be capable of proper scrutiny.”

“By pausing the process, the government has decided that its own decision should be reviewed. If a review is necessary, the sensible course would have been to withdraw the original decision and make a fresh determination once its review had been completed.”

He added: “Instead, the original decision remains in place, and the legal clock continues to run. This leaves us with no choice but to take steps to protect Nottinghamshire residents and preserve their right to challenge the decision, if necessary.

“We will continue to engage constructively with government, but we will also continue to stand up for the people of Nottinghamshire and seek answers about how this decision was reached."