Date: 12 March 2026
Real Counties has submitted a response to the statutory consultation on proposals for unitary local government in Nottinghamshire and Nottingham.
While we do not take a position on the boundaries or structure of the proposed unitary councils, our submission emphasises the importance of recognising and respecting historic county identities in any outcome. The consultation area covers most of Nottinghamshire, along with small parts of Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire.
In our comments, we highlighted the guidance in the Office for National Statistics Index of Place Names User Guide (2024 – p13), which confirms that historic counties continue to exist, are the enduring geography of the nation, and should be used as such. We urged the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure that:
1. Any new administrative structures are clearly distinguished from historic counties.
2. Historic county names are retained in official communications, mapping, signage, and datasets.
3. Residents’ true historic county identities are respected, including in areas crossing administrative boundaries.
“Local government boundaries may change, but historic counties do not,” said a spokesperson for Real Counties. “Reorganisation should never come at the expense of the country’s enduring geographic framework and cultural heritage.”
The full submission is available upon request from Real Counties.
Britain's Historic Counties 