The public are being asked for their views on controversial plans to overhaul the way local government is run in Nottinghamshire.

The Conservative-run Nottinghamshire County Council wants to change the way councils are made up in the county - with the possibility of creating a huge 'super-council' for the whole area.

Other options include splitting up the areas geographically, creating larger councils and dissolving district and borough councils.

The plans are being suggested as the council aims to save millions of pounds to meet budget targets.

However, they have come under fire from leaders of district and borough councils, who have said the plans are not needed.

Councillor Kay Cutts, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "Local government in Nottinghamshire is at a crossroads.

"Due to significant reductions in the funding we receive to provide services and continually increasing demand for our social care services, we are facing the prospect of huge cuts to frontline services and increasing council tax, year-on-year, unless there is a fundamental change in the way we operate.

"Since 2010 - under different political leaderships - the Council has saved over £270m in running costs, yet we still face a budget gap of £54m.

"We have exhausted all the options available to make the cost reductions we need without significantly impacting local people and reorganisation of local government in the county appears to be the only alternative.

"Local government services impact every one of us, every day of our lives, so this is a very important debate. I would urge everyone to read the Future Nottinghamshire document and let us know their views."

How can I air my views?

An online survey can be found at, while the council will also be holding focus groups with the public, as well as discussing the plans with district and parish councils, businesses and the voluntary sector.

However, the council has said it is not a formal consultation, but it simply wants to understand the views of the general public. The survey closes on Wednesday 31 October.

What are people saying about it?

The plans have come under fire from rival parties, including Labour and the Ashfield Independents.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny, leader of Ashfield District Council, said: "I don’t think there’s any need for change. I think if it isn’t broken - don’t fix it."

Councillor John Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council, said: “We want nothing to do with it. We’ve already seen £270,000 spent, plus a huge amount of office time.

“We’re fighting for Gedling. We have had so much response to it from right across the board - people who have never voted Labour in their lives are saying they support us on it. No one wants it. People want councils to stay local.”

Meanwhile, Nottingham City Council has said it will submit its own bid to expand the city borders should the county council submit proposals to the Government.

How can a new council be created?

Under Government regulations, a new council area has to have at least 300,000 residents.

It also has to have ‘co-terminus boundaries’, meaning the districts or boroughs have to currently share a border. This is to avoid creating ‘doughnut options’.

There is some dispute over whether the new councils have to be based on current district and borough council boundaries. The county council states they do, but the city council believes they do not, and that its proposal would still be considered by the Government.

They also need to maintain ‘reasonable levels’ of population density.