Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) has proposed that no part of Rushcliffe should join Nottingham City and that residents should have a say on any final proposal for changes to local councils.
This was the opinion of a majority of councillors at Rushcliffe Borough Council during an Extraordinary Meeting on Thursday (20 March), where they considered recommendations on the future of local councils in Nottinghamshire, following the Government’s announcement on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
The Government has written to all councils asking them to work on proposals that would see all existing councils abolished. New unitary councils could replace the current authorities, which would undertake all the services both tiers of councils currently deliver.
Three core options were finalised among all Nottinghamshire council leaders earlier this month, but it was accepted that some councils may still wish to explore additional proposals.
Therefore, a report was presented at the meeting, which saw RBC recommend that the interim plan submitted to the Government should include an additional fourth option. This option would see Nottingham City remain as it is, while the rest of Nottinghamshire would be split into two smaller councils. A majority of councillors voted to include this fourth option.
Leaders agreed earlier this month that the next stage of submissions, ahead of a final submission on 28 November, would require a more detailed analysis of individual options. They also agreed to emphasise to the Government that a review of current boundaries may be necessary to ensure that LGR delivers the best outcomes for local communities.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Neil Clarke, said: “The Council will now write to the Government to request a public consultation exercise for the people of Nottinghamshire to have their say on any final proposal.
“We are keen to continue working with other councils, but we are equally keen to ensure other options receive further assessment in line with the additional alternative that we proposed in the meeting.
“It is important that our residents can be assured that the high standard of service they currently receive will be maintained in the future.
“It is our understanding that the Government has not indicated a public consultation exercise is necessary. However, it is important that residents have an opportunity to express their views, and consequently, we will be doing all we can to ensure our residents have that opportunity to have their say.
“My first priority is the residents of the Borough and the high quality of services they enjoy in the Borough and the County, while keeping Council Tax low. We do not want to see any reduction in services or any potential large increase in Council Tax.
“I emphasise that our priority will always be the residents of the Borough of Rushcliffe and to ensure our stable financial management remains fit for sustainable, excellent services for our residents in the future, with high-quality services remaining at the top of our agenda.
“The work will proceed over the summer to work together with other councils in the hope that a final submission can be agreed by the end of November.”
