To receive Notices of Motion submitted under Standing Order No.12
“Over recent months , the Labour controlled Nottingham City Council have made it very clear that in any Local Government Re-organisation , they will petition the Government to ensure that the City Council absorb West Bridgford, amongst other district areas, within their City Boundaries.
To support the above, the City Council will shortly be commencing a public engagement exercise across Rushcliffe (and 3 other Districts).
In response to this action by Nottingham City Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council firmly believes that for the future prosperity and quality of life of West Bridgford residents and businesses that West Bridgford should remain and be seen as an essential part of the Rushcliffe Administrative boundaries.
In addition, with any Local Government review, the whole of the Rushcliffe area should be considered in its entirety without any fragmentation.”
Councillor S J Robinson
Minutes:
a. The following Notice of Motion was proposed by Councillor S J Robinson and seconded by Councillor D Mason.
“Over recent months, the Labour controlled Nottingham City Council have made it very clear that in any Local Government Re-organisation, they will petition the Government to ensure that the City Council absorb West Bridgford, amongst other district areas, within their City Boundaries.
To support the above, the City Council will shortly be commencing a public engagement exercise across Rushcliffe (and 3 other Districts).
In response to this action by Nottingham City Council, Rushcliffe Borough Council firmly believes that for the future prosperity and quality of life of West Bridgford residents and businesses that West Bridgford should remain and be seen as an essential part of the Rushcliffe Administrative boundaries. In addition, with any Local Government review, the whole of the Rushcliffe area should be considered in its entirety without any fragmentation.”
Councillor Robinson presented the motion and explained to Council why he felt it was necessary to submit the motion at this stage. He pointed out that the desire of the City Council to extend its boundaries to include West Bridgford amongst other areas was no secret and was indeed a longstanding ambition. However, he felt that the current focus of the County Council to create a single unitary authority for the County had forced the City Council to consider its position also. He pointed out that the City Council had begun a process of consultation with Rushcliffe residents without the involvement of the Council and went on to outline a number of reasons why he felt the Council and the residents of the Borough may object to being part of the City. These included educational performance and attainment, operating losses, increasing levels of debt, poor retail experience and treatment of businesses, poor health and social care outcomes, as well as the City Council’s own proposal to make 200 staff redundant this year. He concluded that the motion he had put forward sends a clear message to the City Council – West Bridgford belongs to Rushcliffe.
Councillor Edwards pointed out that in a press statement last week the City Council had stated that it was looking to increase its area based on whole administrative boundaries and as a result was interested in talking to Gedling and Broxtowe Borough councils. He stated that the City Council had made it clear without West Bridgford other towns and villages within Rushcliffe would lack focus and identify. Councillor Edwards went on to say that he felt the process was currently lacking in widespread consultation and called upon the Leader to inform and then seek the views of Rushcliffe’s residents. He concluded by supporting the motion but called into question the grounds on which the Leader based his views.
Councillor Jones stated that he agreed with Councillor Edwards and went on to say that West Bridgford had a clear identity of its own but was lacking a strong voice in the absence of a town council. He called upon the Leader of the Council to commence the creation of a town council for West Bridgford so that it could represent and defend itself in any local government reorganisation.
Councillor S Mallender suggested that there were other reasons for the poor outcomes achieved by the City Council such as the differences between a deprived inner city area and the affluent leafy borough Rushcliffe was privileged to be. She stated that she was happy to support the motion but like her colleagues did not support the Leader’s negative view of the City Council.
Councillor Donoghue informed Council that in her view Councillor Robinson had stated a number of well-known facts and that she felt it was beholden on Councillors to base their decisions upon facts and evidence. She went on to say that Rushcliffe Borough Council had worked tirelessly over a number of years to ensure it delivered the best possible outcomes and value for money to the residents it serves.
Councillor Cooper highlighted his personal view, as a life-long resident of West Bridgford, was to oppose any moves made by the City Council to absorb West Bridgford within its boundaries. He could clearly see why the success of West Bridgford would be attractive to the City Council but felt that the town should remain and be seen as an essential part of Rushcliffe.
Councillor Lawrence raised concerns that his ward would become even more remote from its administrative centre under either of the County Council’s proposals and as such Rushcliffe should oppose any form of local government reorganisation. He pointed out that it made far more sense for Rushcliffe to make a bid for Wilford and Clifton as this made far more geographical sense than the current boundaries.
Councillor Plant stated that although she intended to support the motion she had found the reasoning given by the Leader to be offensive, inaccurate and unnecessary.
Councillor Clarke pointed out that the City aspired to be like West Bridgford just on a larger scale and that a boundary review would have to be requested in order for the administrative boarders to be altered which seemed unlikely at this stage.
Councillor Robinson apologised for offending some Councillors but reiterated that the points he raised were facts not opinions and that he felt it was important that decisions were based on fact not ideology. He also reiterated that this motion was about sending a clear message to the City Council.
On being put to the vote the Motion was carried.