To receive Notices of Motion submitted under Standing Order No.12
“The covid-19 pandemic has compounded the impact of austerity which local government has faced over the last decade. Severe cuts to funding for local government has compelled Councils to seek out different ways of investing money to bolster their budgets, which can result in a reliance on commercial income streams to support service delivery.
This Council calls for an immediate increase in funding from central government to cover the true cost of the covid-19 pandemic. An increase in funding will ensure that councils are able to pay for essential services in their communities.”
Councillor M Gaunt
Minutes:
a. The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor Gaunt and seconded by Councillor J Walker.
Councillor Gaunt informed Council, in moving the motion, that local authorities had lost 60 pence per pound of funding from central government and that 168 Councils had no revenue support grants. Councillor Gaunt noted that Rushcliffe Borough Council was in a privileged position as it was able to use the new homes bonus by releasing green belt for development in order to balance budgets. However, he explained that other Councils have had to cut essential services such as rural bus services, and close libraries due to lack of funding from central government. Councillor Gaunt also asked the Council to stop comparing itself to Nottingham City Council as it had other additional pressures to deal with such as adult and children’s social care and education. Councillor Gaunt stated that over centralisation of funding and power was not effective in delivering services to residents such as the NHS track and trace service, and that he believed cities such as Liverpool had been successful in track and trace testing for Covid-19.
Councillor Walker seconded the motion and reserved the right to speak.
Councillor Robinson proposed an amendment to the motion:
“This Council calls for a review of funding from central government to support the true cost of the covid-19 pandemic. Appropriate and fairer funding will ensure that well run and efficient councils, such as Rushcliffe are able to pay for essential services in their communities.”
Councillor Robinson supported the principle of the proposed motion; however, he believed that the motion should specifically mention Rushcliffe Borough Council and that efficient and well-run Council’s should be entitled to funding to enable essential services to continue in their communities. Councillor Robinson was pleased to note that an extra £10 billion would be allocated to local authorities in line with recommendations from the Local Government Association and that Rushcliffe Borough Council had already been allocated £27 million in grants in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Councillor Edyvean seconded the amendment and reserved the right to speak.
Councillor Gaunt informed Council that the Labour Group would be supporting the amendment to the motion.
Councillor Jones also supported the motion and praised the Council’s finance team for their hard work in allocating grants to businesses. Councillor Jones also noted that not all Conservative Councils were necessarily well run and not in debt.
Councillor R Mallender made no comment regarding the amendment to the motion and suggested that it should go to the vote.
Councillor Thomas noted that previous motions had been discussed at Council meetings regarding commercialisation and requests for more funding, which were politically motivated and stated that all of the Councillors should be working together for the benefit of residents.
On being put to the vote, the amendment to the motion was carried and Councillor Robinson’s motion became the substantive motion.
Councillor Robinson noted that the Councillors should be congratulatory of the Council and its officers.
Councillor Gowland noted that all councils have their own pressures and that Rushcliffe Borough Council was privileged to be in a sound financial position.
On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.