In December last year the Government announced plans to reorganise and restructure local councils in a bid to 'create more efficient and effective local government' – which some councils say could potentially lead to streamlined services and cost savings for residents.
In Nottinghamshire there are three options on the table, while a fourth has been proposed by one council leader.
Under option one the Nottingham, Broxtowe, and Gedling areas would be combined as one unitary authority, with the remaining districts and boroughs in the county forming the second unitary authority.
Option two would mean Nottingham, Broxtowe and Rushcliffe combine, with the remaining districts and boroughs forming the second unitary authority.
Option three would mean Nottingham remains as its own unitary authority, with the rest of the Nottinghamshire forming the second unitary.
Coun Neil Clarke (Con), Nottinghamshire county councillor and Rushcliffe Council leader also called for the consideration of a fourth option, in which Nottingham would remain within its existing boundaries and the remainder of the county would be split into two unitaries.
All councils have been discussing the options, before an interim plan is submitted at the end of March for assessment by the Government.
Public consultation will then take place over the summer, before a final decision is made in November.
Broxtowe Councilheld its meeting to discuss the plans on March 19 and agreed it could not support any merger ideas at this time.
Coun Greg Marshall (Brox Alliance), council deputy leader, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the council had voted through amended recommendations calling for a suspension of the process.
He said an 'assessment of the city’s finances should take place before any potential merger'.
The council also agreed that a full consultation in Broxtowe should take place, and a needs-based assessment on a merger should be done on top of this.
It was further agreed that £150,000 from the council would not be provided to support the process.