Agenda item

The report of the Chief Executive is attached.

The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Borough Wide Leadership, Councillor Robinson presented the report of the Chief Executive which recommended that Council support and endorse the Leader and Chief Executive’s involvement in continued discussions about a “County Deal” in Nottinghamshire with any arrangements affecting Rushcliffe Borough Council to be brought back to Council for full discussion and approval prior to adoption. It was explained that the Prime Minister had set out a vision for new devolution deals across the country in his “Levelling Up” speech offering counties the ability to have devolved powers like some of the cities. On the same day, the Secretary State for Housing, Communities and Local Government wrote to Local Authority Leaders and Chief Executive setting out a commitment to “devolving power to local places and closer to citizens.” It was hoped that the Council’s involvement in the devolution and “Levelling Up” in Nottinghamshire would provide efficiency and effectiveness to local government authorities in Nottinghamshire.

It was expected that deals would include significant reform proposals, including ways to achieve greater financial efficiency, administrative streamlining and / or more joined up services in an area. It was explained that this would not mean that unitary status for the county of Nottinghamshire would be required but that it would include partnership working with Nottingham City Council. The Portfolio Holder was pleased to report that Nottinghamshire District Leaders and Chief Executives were invited to meet with the Leader and Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire County Council to discuss working closely together with the City Council to support a bid to be a “pathfinder” area for County Deals and that more details will be provided in the Government’s Levelling Up white paper in the autumn.

It was proposed that the starting point for the governance for any devolution deal based on a County Deal is the Economic Prosperity Committee which was originally set up in 2015. The Council were informed that legal advice will be sought on any amendments that would need to be made and any sub groups/committees that would be set up.

The Leader assured the Council that any formal agreements that would impact on the Borough Council would be brought back to Council for full discussion and debate prior to an agreement and adoption.

Councillor Edyvean seconded the recommendations and was pleased to note that a “County Deal” was widely supported across political parties.

Councillor Gowland noted that the Labour group supported the recommendations outlined in the report. She suggested that a town council in West Bridgford be appointed to deal with planning applications, West Bridgford High Street and the schedules of grass cutting. Councillor Gowland stated that it was essential for powers to be devolved to local authorities in order to tackle austerity. It was noted that the number of employees of central government had increased by 23% whereas the number of employees of local government had decreased by 30%. Additionally, spending fell by 18% in the East Midlands compared to 13% nationally. Councillor Gowland suggested that the County Deal should focus on reducing inequality and tackling the climate crisis, economic development, and transport. It was welcomed that any formal decisions that would affect the Borough would be debated at Council before their implementation.  

Councillor Jones was pleased that local authorities would receive more funding. Councillor Jones stated that he opposed Nottinghamshire becoming a unitary authority as he believed it was a waste of time and resources. He also noted that he understood the Leader’s commitment to maintain local democracy. 

Councillor R Mallender was pleased to see that local authorities would be working together in order to make improvements to Nottinghamshire’s governance. Councillor Mallender stated that the East Midlands currently received low investment from central government to tackle issues such as the environment and therefore, expressed his support for the recommendations in the report.

Councillor Thomas suggested that the Councils currently willing to be involved in the levelling up agreement should do all they can to ensure that all Councils in Nottinghamshire be involved.

Councillor Upton was pleased with the implementation of a County Deal as he had always campaigned against a unitary authority for Nottinghamshire. Councillor Upton said that the levelling up of Nottinghamshire had the potential of economies of scale in areas such as waste and planning.

In response to the comments above, Councillor Robinson stated that the ambitions of the county deal would include levelling up in areas such as wealth inequality, health and social care and strategies for tackling the climate crisis.  Councillor Robinson informed the Council that it had been discussed that one of the areas which could be levelled up would be the standard of houses built across the county.

It was proposed by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Edyvean and RESOLVED that the Council supports and endorses the Leader and Chief Executive’s involvement in continued discussions about a “County Deal” in Nottinghamshire with any arrangements affecting Rushcliffe Borough Council to be brought back to Council for full discussion and approval prior to adoption.