Councillors at Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) have considered a report on the future of local councils in Nottinghamshire, including a possible new unitary council covering Rushcliffe, Newark and Sherwood, Ashfield, Bassetlaw, and Mansfield.
A majority of councillors voted in favour of the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) recommendations at a Full Council meeting on 17 July to continue to work collaboratively with all other local authorities in Nottinghamshire and Nottingham.
The vote was not on any final proposals for possible change, and the authority is waiting for fellow councils to also put forward their preferences for possible reorganisation. This is with a view to developing a final unitary proposal for submission by the government’s deadline of 28 November this year.
Leader of the Council, Cllr Neil Clarke, said: “RBC’s priority remains the people of Rushcliffe—protecting services, maintaining low rates of council tax, remaining a debt-free council, and continuing to deliver high-quality services to residents.
“At the meeting, a majority of councillors voted in favour of supporting the development of the option of one unitary council covering Rushcliffe, Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Mansfield, and Newark and Sherwood, and one unitary covering Broxtowe, Gedling, and Nottingham City.
“It included supporting the proposal that reorganisation does not include any part of the current Rushcliffe Borough being absorbed into any new or expanded city area.
“The Council is in favour of temporarily pausing any further work focusing on RBC’s own three-unitary option, where Rushcliffe is joined with Newark and Sherwood and Gedling Borough Councils, until there is more clarity on options being taken forward as part of all the councils’ joint work.
“If further support materialises for a three-unitary option from other councils, this option will be pursued further to a potential final bid stage, and further partnership working explored with other councils.
“Councillors also voted in favour of the development of the final proposal including involvement of the town and parish councils, other local community organisations, and businesses as part of the wider engagement in the process.”
A majority of councillors accepted an amendment to the original recommendations, recognising that after the reorganisation, all councils in the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire area will be completely new organisations.
The Council accepted a further amendment reaffirming its commitment to engage with residents on their views. RBC is working with other councils on a joint approach, which it will announce as soon as possible.
The government wrote to all councils last year asking them to work on proposals that would see all borough and district councils abolished, and new unitary councils replacing the existing Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, which would undertake all the services both tiers of councils currently deliver.
Cllr Clarke added: “We know that in Rushcliffe, residents pay the lowest council tax for the borough or district element in Nottinghamshire and have top-quality services.
“I encourage all residents to look out for an engagement process soon on possible reorganisation. Look out on our website at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk and across our Council channels to find out how you can have your views heard.”
