Issue - meetings

The Chief Executive updated Council and outlined the activities and decisions that would be needed over the next two months.  Work was ongoing at pace across the whole county with many meetings with Leaders, Chief Executives and a large number of staff working on the various workstreams.  The proposals would be formed around two Unitary Authorities, one in the North and one in the South.  However, agreement had not been reached as to where the boundary between North and South would be drawn with separate options still under discussion.

If an agreement could not be reached on the boundary before the submission date then it was proposed that a single proposal would be submitted highlighting different options for where the boundary.

It was proposed that a single report would be submitted by all the District and Borough Councils on 24^th October 2025 for consideration at their Council and Executive meetings.  Two member briefings for Bolsover councillors were proposed for 29^th October 2025, one via Teams and another in person event starting at 4pm.  The report and appendices will also be considered at Extraordinary Council on 5^th November 2025.

Advice has been received from Government and Counsel confirming this was an Executive decision.  An Extraordinary Executive had been arranged to take place at the rising of Extraordinary Council on 5^th November 2025 to formally take the decision on the proposal.

Government has advised that they would be reviewing the submissions and likely to respond before the Summer recess in 2026.  This time will be used to review the implementation arrangements and activities needed to prepare for the elections of the Shadow Unitary Authority in 2027.