Agenda and draft minutes

Link to further information in the Council’s Constitution

There were no declarations of interest made.

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

The Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough-wide Leadership, Councillor Clarke MBE presented the report of the Chief Executive, which provided an overview of the Government’s requirement for plans for Local Government Reorganisation to be developed in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

In formally moving the recommendations detailed in the report, the Leader referred to this significant issue, stressed that the recommendations did not constitute any final decision, and confirmed that the nine councils would produce a final submission by 28 November 2025. The Leader stated that maintaining the highest quality services for residents and businesses was his priority, whilst remaining debt free and having the lowest Council Tax in the County, and he questioned if a new unitary authority would be able to maintain that. The Leader felt that proper public consultation was required and that the Government’s guidance on population size referred to in the Schedule in the report was flawed, as the figures were out of date. The Leader stated that the Borough maintained more accurate house building and occupation figures, which would bring populations proposed by Rushcliffe for a three unitary model close to the guidance figures. As this model had gained little support, an additional recommendation had been added, showing that the Council was open to investigating various options, without diminishing Rushcliffe’s high quality services. The Leader stated that public engagement was required. Any expansion would cost over £8m, and lead to Rushcliffe’s residents receiving inadequate services, with the potential loss of facilities and increased charges. The Leader concluded by reiterating that residents came first, with the need to maintain high quality services and that a final decision was not being made tonight.  

Councillor Brennan seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor J Walker advised that the Labour Group could not support the additional recommendation, questioned the accuracy of the £8m figure and that this would not address the issues that had led to the need for reform. She referred to the advantages of being close to the City, with its world class infrastructure and facilities, and that no tax from Rushcliffe was paid towards them. She questioned how front line services would be managed and that the recommendation was playing politics with issues which required proper debate. Councillor Walker felt that there were four key issues; impact on services, what would happen if nothing was done, impact of the Spending Review, and sense of fairness. She asked for better leadership and representation for all and stated that whilst the Group supported some elements of the recommendation, the party political elements, which would completely tie the Council’s hands could not be ignored.

Councillor Thomas proposed the following amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Way, who reserved the right to speak.

It is RECOMMENDED that Council:

a)               endorses the submission of a Local Government Reorganisation Interim Plan to Government by 21 March 2025 (Appendix B);

b)               endorses continuing to work with the other local authorities across Nottinghamshire and Nottingham with a view to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.