Borough council is happy to merge in reorganisation plans

COUNCILLORS REJECTED CALLS FOR A REFERENDUM TO GIVE PUBLIC THE FINAL SAY

- By JOE LOCKER Local democracy reporter

GEDLING Borough Council has backed a plan to create a new authority with Newark and Sherwood, Ashfield, Bassetlaw and Mansfield after a bid for a referendum failed.

In December the Government announced plans to reorganise areas that are made up of two-tier local authorities - including Nottinghamshire - where responsibilities are currently split between county and district councils.

Under the English Devolution White Paper, council boundaries will be completely redrawn in favour of new, larger, single-tier, unitary authorities.

While Nottingham City Council operates as a unitary authority, it too will be part of the reorganisation in a bid to increase its population base, because it is currently too small under the Government's guidelines.

The nine councils across the city and county have been working on their preferred options ever since.

Enough councillors at Labour-led Gedling Borough Council agreed to the development of an option for the borough to merge with councils in Newark & Sherwood, Ashfield, Bassetlaw, and Mansfield councils at a meeting on Wednesday.