City council questioned in Commons over plan to expand its boundary

CONCERNS have been raised that Nottingham City Council's plan for a “land grab” in a huge shakeup of boundaries fails to meet a crucial test as a final decision is due in months.

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

The Labour-run authority's plan could see Nottingham’s current boundaries expand to cover areas including Beeston and Arnold.

The changes would mark the biggest shakeup of boundaries for 50 years and ahead of the government making a final decision by the summer, one MP has raised concerns about the city council's plan.

Michael Payne, the Labour MP for Gedling, spoke about the issue in the House of Commons last week, saying: “The secretary of state’s department issued very clear guidance on February 6 last year, which said that ‘we expect local leaders to engage their members of parliament and to ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents, workforce and their representatives, and businesses on a proposal?

“My constituents are concerned that the proposal by Nottingham City Council for reorganisation in Nottinghamshire fails to meet that test.

“Can the Secretary of State give me and my constituents in Gedling an assurance that his department will firmly apply the guidance that he set on February 6 2025?”