Erewash MP moves to address reports of the borough moving to become part of Nottinghamshire

Erewash MP Adam Thompson has taken to social media in response to reports made elsewhere on line that Erewash could switch to become part of Nottinghamshire as part of a council shake-up.

On Tuesday 28th January, the BBC stated that borough council leaders are considering the idea and added that the authority is officially within the Derbyshire boundary but sits between the two counties, but that the authority, alongside other borough and district councils is set to disappear as part of Government plans to merge councils and streamline services.

According to a report, the Government hopes that the first new councils would be in place by 2027, however, the same report suggests that some leaders within Derbyshire have concerns.

The Leader of Labour-led Erewash Borough Council, Councillor James Dawson is quoted by the BBC as having said that, whilst no decisions had been made, the idea of becoming part of Nottinghamshire would make sense, as the county is part of the geographical location of Erewash: "Erewash is currently within the Nottingham core market housing area, not the Derby one. Certainly on the eastern side of the district, we are classed as being part of the greater Nottingham area. There's travel-to-work areas, there's the economic geography.  Where do people identify more closely with? The ultimate aim of all of this is getting the best for residents."

Former Erewash Conservative MP Maggie Throup is reported to be against the change and is quoted as having said: "I am against crossing county boundaries. We don't want to lose our identity. Erewash is in Derbyshire, fair and square. It's important that we have that Derbyshire identity. I am very proud to say I live in Derbyshire."

The BBC also suggests that it was less clear as to whether Erewash, and boroughs that are similar, could shift to another county that is within the regional boundaries, but that there will be more clarity from the Government by the end of week commencing 27th January 2025, although councils have until March to submit draft proposals.

In Matlock, Conservative-led County Council leader Barry Lewis is understood to have already submitted plans to the Government for a county-wide proposal that would take in all of Derbyshire on its current boundaries, but he has also significant concern about Erewash joining Nottinghamshire and has pledged to fight to retain Erewash within Derbyshire, concluding that residents of the borough closely identify with being in Derbyshire.

In response to the news of a possible or proposed move of Erewash into Nottinghamshire, Labour MP Adam Thompson took to social media to record a video for followers which he also shared on other social media sites.

He is quoted by the BBC as having said that he had no strong opinions but was nevertheless looking forward to entering into "deep discussion", and told the broadcaster: "Having spoken to lots of [local people] on doorsteps, I know that some people in Long Eaton and the surrounding areas identify more closely with Nottingham City than they do necessarily with Derby or Derbyshire.  They have got an 'NG' postcode and spend a lot of time in the city.

"While other people in Ilkeston and the surrounding areas, maybe they identify more closely with Derbyshire."

Separately, his video address said: "This is super important. I've had lots of people get in touch about an article they read on the BBC suggesting that Erewash is going to become part of Nottinghamshire.  To clear this up straightaway - no - Erewash is always going to be part of the historical county of Derbyshire.

"What we're talking about is the Government's grand re-organisation of local government right across the country.  This means that councils liks Erewash, Amber Valley, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Nottingham City, Derby City, all of these are going to cease to exist.

"The point here is to consolidate local government to deliver better services more efficiently. There are not going to be two councils anymore, just one council.

"Now, exactly what it is going to look like locally, we don't yet know. The whole point about this is that we're going to start a big process of consultation. This might be that parts of the constituency or the whole constituency move in with one of the cities, or we end up as a rural council, we could end up in multiple different councils, there are lots of different options. But the important thing here is that everything is on the table."

The MP rounded off his video by stating that he wants to hear and looks forward to hearing from constituents and, specifically, to hear what they think the best solution is. He pledged to "...make sure that we deliver the best for residents in Ilkeston, in Long Eaton, Breaston, Draycott, Sandiacre, Risley and all of the surrounding areas."