Plans that would see Erewash Borough Council abolished and replaced by a much larger authority have been put on hold after Communities Secretary Angela Rayner ordered a review of local government reorganisation.
Derby and Derbyshire is one of 14 areas where reorganisation decisions have been paused following updated legal advice received by the government.
The decision creates fresh uncertainty over proposals to replace Derbyshire’s existing county, city, borough and district councils with two new unitary authorities.
Under the plans announced in July, Ilkeston and the rest of Erewash would become part of a new council covering the south of Derbyshire. Erewash Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council would both cease to exist.
The replacement authorities had been expected to begin operating in April 2028.
Angela Rayner orders review
Angela Rayner, who returned to the role of Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government in July, is reviewing whether the process followed by the government is legally robust and whether the proposals remain consistent with the priorities of the new administration.
In comments issued ahead of her statement to Parliament, Ms Rayner said she wanted to satisfy herself that “the right process is in place” and that it “complies with the law”.
She also said the proposals needed to be tested against the priorities of the new prime minister and administration.
The review follows legal challenges – or the threat of legal action – from several councils elsewhere in England that objected to the boundaries chosen for their replacement authorities.
Reorganisation plans affecting Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk have been withdrawn. Derby and Derbyshire is among the areas where decisions are instead being reviewed and paused.
What does this mean for Erewash?
For now, the proposal to abolish Erewash Borough Council cannot proceed according to its previous timetable.
However, the council has not necessarily been permanently saved.
Following the review, the government could restart the existing proposal, change the boundaries of the replacement authorities, introduce a different scheme or abandon the reorganisation altogether.
Until a further decision is made, Erewash Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council will continue to operate and provide their existing services.
The government has also confirmed that local elections due in May 2027 will go ahead using existing council boundaries.
Millions already earmarked for transition
The pause comes only weeks after the government selected a two-council model for Derby and Derbyshire.
Documents considered by local authority leaders have estimated that establishing the replacement councils could cost at least £66 million, with the total potentially exceeding £81 million.
Forecast costs included more than £26 million for staff departures, £12 million for technology and £6.5 million for managing the transition. Erewash Borough Council had also earmarked £2 million towards the reorganisation process.
It is not yet clear how much has already been spent across Derby and Derbyshire, whether work will now stop or what will happen to money committed to the transition.
The proposed shake-up represented one of the biggest changes to local government in Derbyshire for decades. Erewash Borough Council currently manages services including household waste collection, planning, licensing, parks and leisure facilities, while Derbyshire County Council is responsible for areas such as roads, education and adult social care.
The proposed unitary authority would bring those responsibilities together under one larger council.
The review now leaves the future structure of local government in Erewash – and the planned April 2028 changeover – in doubt.
Ilkeston News will provide further updates when the government confirms the outcome of its review.
One Comment
Um! interesting