City council backs boundary changes despite £32m cost

BUT COUNTY LEADER WANTS CITY TO STAY AS IT IS

- OLIVER PRIDMORE

NOTTINGHAM City Council has backed a plan to merge with two neighbouring authorities even though it will cost £8 million more than other options.

Leaders of the county's nine councils have been talking for weeks to discuss a huge local government shake-up.

At a meeting on Monday, the Labour-run city council said it would be in favour of combining with two neighbouring areas to form a bigger authority.

The result would likely be a combination with any two of Broxtowe, Gedling or Rushcliffe - but the council says it would be open to joining up with other areas not yet under discussion.

The decision comes despite analysis showing that the transition costs of a bigger Nottingham council would cost around £8.3 million more than keeping the city as it is.

Analysis by consultancy firm PwC also suggests the net benefit of a bigger Nottingham council after five years would be £4.8 million less than the alternative.