The future of councils in DerbyshireFor the first time in 50 years, the way local council services are delivered in Derbyshire is changing. The Government has decided to replace the current two-tier system of local government with two new unitary councils from 1 April 2028.
This page explains what the Government's decision means, what happens next, and what residents can expect over the coming months and years.
There are no immediate changes to council services, and residents should continue to access services in the usual way.
In late 2024, the Government published a white paper setting out a national programme of devolution and reform to local government.
This means the way local councils in England are organised is being fundamentally changed for the first time in 50 years.
In places like Derbyshire, local services are currently delivered through what is known as a two-tier council structure.
This means some services are delivered by a borough or district council, while others are provided by Derbyshire County Council. Within Derbyshire, Derby City Council already operates as a unitary council, delivering all local authority services for the communities it serves.
Across Derbyshire, these councils are responsible for a wide range of services. Derbyshire County Council provides services such as education, highways, transport, and children's and adults' social care, while district and borough councils deliver services including waste and recycling collections, planning, housing, parks and leisure.
This structure has been in place since 1974. The Government believes that replacing it with fewer councils will create simpler, more efficient local government that provides better value for money and more joined-up services.
In February 2025, the Government invited councils across Derbyshire to work together to develop proposals for new unitary councils.
During 2025, proposals for new unitary councils were developed. Following public engagement and consultation, final proposals were submitted to the Government in November 2025, including a joint proposal from Amber Valley Borough Council, Derby City Council and Derbyshire's district and borough councils, alongside a separate proposal from Derbyshire County Council.
You can view the 'One Derbyshire, Two Councils' proposal submitted to the Government in Appendix B of the Extraordinary Full Council meeting held on 6 November 2025.
The Government then carried out its own statutory consultation before announcing its decision in July 2026.
On 16 July 2026, the Government announced its decision to proceed with Option B1 for Local Government Reorganisation in Derbyshire.
This means Derbyshire's current county, district and borough councils will be replaced by two new unitary councils from 1 April 2028, with Amber Valley being split between them.
From April 2028, these new councils will comprise of the current areas of:
*Parishes in the North: Aldercar and Langley Mill, Alderwasley, Alfreton, Ashleyhay, Codnor, Crich, Dethick, Lea and Holloway, Hazelwood, Heanor and Loscoe, Idridgehay and Alton, Ironville, Pentrich, Ravensdale Park, Ripley, Shottle and Postern, Somercotes, South Wingfield, Swanwick, Turnditch, Weston Underwood, Windley.
**Parishes in the South: Belper, Denby, Duffield, Holbrook, Horsley, Horsley Woodhouse, Kedleston, Kilburn, Kirk Langley, Mackworth, Mapperley, Quarndon, Shipley, Smalley.
The Government's decision marks the beginning of the next stage of Local Government Reorganisation in Derbyshire.
Over the coming months, councils across Derbyshire will work together to plan the transition to the new unitary councils. Throughout this period, there are no immediate changes to the services residents receive, and Amber Valley Borough Council will continue to deliver services as normal. Our priority remains providing high-quality services while working constructively with partner councils to ensure the transition is well planned and managed.
The current timetable is:
If you'd like to learn more about Local Government Reorganisation in Derbyshire, you can:
We'll continue to update these pages as more information becomes available.
Contact the team directly on 01773 570222 or email enquiry@ambervalley.gov.uk
