Rushcliffe MP James Naish has challenged Angela Rayner to explain how residents’ views will be heard during the Government’s review of local government reorganisation, saying many in Rushcliffe and Nottinghamshire felt ignored during the previous process.
Speaking in the Commons today, he questioned whether reorganisation should have been a first-term priority, arguing councils should be focused on housing, homelessness, trading standards and high streets.
Ms Rayner said residents would be engaged in the review and defended reform as a way to improve local services, while stressing that she wanted to get the process right.
James Naish MP said:
“Madam Deputy Speaker, I’ve repeatedly argued with colleagues that LGR is extremely complex but extremely important. It therefore didn’t need to be a term-one priority for this government, and I do remain of that view because, for me, our councils should be building council houses, tackling homelessness, strengthening trading standards and regenerating high streets, not focusing on administrative structures.
“But assuming LGR does still go ahead in some form — and I would advise the Secretary of State to think really deeply about that — would you please explain how the views of Rushcliffe and Nottinghamshire residents, many of whom felt ignored through the last process, will be fully considered in this new approach?”
Angela Rayner replied:
“Well, again, Madam Deputy Speaker, we will be making sure that we cover that within the review, that people are engaged in that process.
“And I say to the honourable member that I do believe that local government reform, it is challenging and complex, but the sort of the searchlight for me in that, and the aim, is that we do deliver better services for local people.
“And that is about building the homes that we desperately need. That is about our high street renewal, which this government are taking forward.
“We can deliver better services, we can reorganise and we can do better. And I believe that working with local leaders is the way forward to deliver for the people of this country.
“And that’s why I’m committed to local government reform. I want to make sure we get it right, and that’s why I’ve made the decision to have the review today.”
