Local Government Reform, Urban Expansion and Identity: Nottingham and Derby, 1945-1968 Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Leicester by R.P. Dockerill BA Hons (Dunelm), PGCE (Dunelm), MSc, MA School of Historical Studies University of Leicester June 2013 Abstract Local Government Reform, Urban Expansion and Identity: Nottingham and Derby, 1945-1968 R.P. Dockerill This study examines changes in the governance of Nottingham and Derby in the period 1945-1968 from a local and national perspective. In so doing it foreshadows the changes wrought by the Local Government Act 1972, which usually receives greater academic attention. Post-war, local authorities became the nation’s principal landlords, while utilities, such as electricity and gas, were nationalised. In fulfilling their new responsibilities, urban authorities were forced to build estates on the periphery of, or outside, their boundaries. The relocation of residents resulted in an exportation of urban identity and greater urban-ness, but was not accompanied by a corresponding redrawing of administrative boundaries. Nevertheless, when urban authorities sought boundary extensions they were fiercely contested by county authorities, local associations, and residents’ groups. Such associations and groups claimed to possess characteristics distinct from the authorities that wished to incorporate them. There was also a fear that democratic accountability would be lost in the creation of larger units of governance. The local feelings aroused by boundary extension proposals demonstrate that local government is more than merely an agent of central government. It is a living organism: changes to it affect not only services, but also the identity of that place. The expansion proposals of the county boroughs of Nottingham and Derby differed markedly. Uniquely amongst county boroughs nationwide, Nottingham sought no expansion under the review initiated by the Local Government Act 1958. The thesis assesses the political motivations behind this and the wider reactions to reconfiguration proposals for both county boroughs. The role of conurbations is considered in terms of local governance, including the extent to which Nottingham and Derby could be classified as one. The thesis concludes that the maintenance of existing party political strengths outweighed local sentiment, and that only those proposals for reform which benefited the former were enacted. Keywords: Local government reform; county borough; Nottingham; Derby; urban expansion; conurbation; identity; belonging; housing; party politics. i Acknowledgments I should like to thank Keith Snell and Simon Gunn for their advice and guidance throughout this process. Thanks are also due to those professors, teachers and colleagues who have guided my academic development over the years. Particular mention is made of John Beckett, Jeremy Black MBE, Simon Hyde, Ranald Michie, Michael Prestwich OBE, Peter Sergeant, Rob Singh, David Sweet, John Weitzel, and Roger Willson. In undertaking this work I am grateful to have accessed the collections of the David Wilson Library at the University of Leicester; the Robson Library of the University of Newcastle; the libraries of the University of Durham; the Special Collections and Manuscript Department of the University of Nottingham; the Library of the Royal Institute of British Architects; and the Library of the Literary and Philosophical Society, Newcastle. The National Archives at Kew have been invaluable; additionally, the collections held at the Nottinghamshire Archives, the Derbyshire Record Office, and the Derby Local Studies Library, have provided a wealth of information. The feedback received upon the papers that I have presented at conferences at home and abroad has further informed this study. The advice of all those who have assisted my work professionally has been appreciated. Finally, I am indebted to the patience and understanding shown by family and friends – especially Verity. ii Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................... ii Contents ...................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures and Tables ........................................................................................... v List of Abbreviations .................................................................................................. vi Chapter One Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 The study approach .............................................................................................. 4 Context of the study ........................................................................................... 15 Structure of the thesis ........................................................................................ 17 Chapter Two Local Government Reform prior to 1945 .............................................................. 24 The Local Government Acts of 1888 and 1894 ................................................. 26 Shaping the new structure .................................................................................. 32 The Nottingham County Borough Expansion Scheme of 1919 ........................ 39 Reviewing local governance: The inter-war years ............................................ 49 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 55 Chapter Three Building Expectations ............................................................................................ 59 Changing society: Changing services ................................................................ 60 Building a new future ........................................................................................ 67 High-rise development ....................................................................................... 81 Conclusion ......................................................................................................... 89 Chapter Four Differing Approaches to Reform ........................................................................... 93 The Trustram Eve Local Government Boundary Commission ......................... 95 Political differences towards reform ................................................................ 101 Views of the local government associations .................................................... 111 A new review process ...................................................................................... 117 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 120 Chapter Five Derby and the HLGC ........................................................................................... 124 Derby on the eve of the Hancock Local Government Commission ................ 125 Derby County Borough’s application for expansion ....................................... 133 Reactions to DCB’s proposals ......................................................................... 141 iii The Commission in action ............................................................................... 153 Mandated urban expansion .............................................................................. 157 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 165 Chapter Six Nottingham: Expansion and the HLGC ............................................................... 167 Expansion – and extension – through construction ......................................... 171 The effects of NCB’s house building .............................................................. 179 Conurbations .................................................................................................... 185 The initial work of the HLGC .......................................................................... 190 The submissions of NCB and NCC ................................................................. 191 Smith’s Nottingham Brief ................................................................................ 197 The submissions of Powell and Edwards ........................................................ 201 Chapter Seven Nottingham and the HLGC: Reactions and Reconsiderations ............................. 215 Public reactions to the Draft Proposals for Nottingham ................................. 217 Local authority reactions ................................................................................. 229 The views of the HLGC ................................................................................... 238 The public inquiry ............................................................................................ 245 The views of the Minister ................................................................................ 250 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 252 Chapter Eight Conclusion ........................................................................................................... 256 Bibliography Archives and Collections ................................................................................