Discussions are continuing over whether or not Nottingham (shire) and Derby (shire) should be governed under a new super authority and a mayor. Such plans would bring the region into the so-called "Premier League" of local governance and give it similar decision making powers to that of the West Midlands.
Labour-led Nottingham and Conservative-led Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire city and county councils respectively have submitted a bid for a 'county deal' after the Government's Levelling Up white paper named the four areas in its plans to hand down powers and, ultimately, more cash. To get the most out of the deal however a combined authority, complete with a mayor, would be required.
The super authority has before been criticised, particularly by district and borough councils which fear their influence would be reduced, however leaked bid documents reveal a full “scrap and merge” of the two city and two county authorities and deletion of the district and borough councils is not proposed.
