Hucknall councillor says Government has questions to answer over LGR withdrawal move
A Hucknall councillor says the Government's decision to withdraw its plans for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Nottinghamshire has raised fresh questions about the cost to taxpayers and the uncertainty facing thousands of council employees.
Ministers confirmed on October 29 that the previous decision on how Nottinghamshire's nine councils would be replaced has been withdrawn, with all options now back under consideration.
However, the Government insists that local government reorganisation has not been cancelled, with new unitary councils still planned for 2029.
Coun Lee Waters (Dist All), who represents Hucknall Central on the council has questioned how much public money and council staff time has already been spent preparing for changes that may never happen in their original form.
He said: "How much taxpayers' money has already been spent on consultants, reports, meetings and preparing for a reorganisation that the Government has now gone back to the drawing board on?
"Council officers across Nottinghamshire have spent months working on these proposals, often alongside their normal responsibilities.
"Some of that work may still be useful, but how much will now have to be repeated or simply written off?
"And let's not forget the council employees who have spent months worrying about their jobs, their futures and whether they will still have a role when their council disappears.
"These are real people with mortgages, families and bills to pay.
"The uncertainty has already gone on long enough and this announcement only prolongs it.
"I am not opposed to making local government more efficient, but there must be a proper financial case, genuine public consultation and clear evidence that residents will receive better services.
"Residents deserve to know how much this process has cost, how much more it will cost and whether the promised savings will ever materialise.
"The Government needs to get a grip, provide some certainty and stop leaving councils, staff and taxpayers in limbo."
Under the revised timetable, existing district council elections, including those in Ashfield, will take place in May 2027.
The Government expects to announce fresh decisions on Nottinghamshire's future council structure by early 2027, with elections to new shadow authorities planned for May 2028.
For residents in Hucknall, existing council services will continue as normal while the Government considers its next steps.