The Conservative Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Neil Clarke MBE has promised residents that the Conservative Group continues to make the case for Rushcliffe to be kept out of any new expanded Nottingham City Council but Rushcliffe Labour say merging councils is beneficial.

Rushcliffe Conservative Group

An update from Government has suggested that there is now more flexibility on the minimum number of households needed for the new Unitary councils, following pressure from councils like Rushcliffe Borough Council, which means counter-proposals to keep Rushcliffe out of a new City Council will be taken forward.

Cllr Clarke welcomes the clarification “The initial communication from the Government was not clear on many crucial points, and so we have gone back to the Government making our views known on behalf of residents. The news that there is no longer a fixed minimum population allows us to continue making the point that Rushcliffe should be kept out of any new Nottingham City Council. It was clear on the doorstep in the recent county council elections, that the vast majority of residents do not want to see us joined with a Nottingham City Council. Some even said they wanted us to stay as we are, but this option seems to have been ruled out by the Labour Government so we will be continuing with proposals for new Unitary councils in Nottinghamshire which exclude us from any expanded Nottingham City
Council.”

The Conservative-led Rushcliffe Borough Council is now working on an option that will continue to serve the Rushcliffe residents in the best way possible, whilst also ensuring it is fit for the rest of Nottinghamshire as well. Key priorities include to protect residents in Rushcliffe who pay the lowest council tax in Nottinghamshire, have a debt free council and have seen millions of pounds of investment in local services.

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The Petition to the Government, set up by Rushcliffe Conservatives, stands at
approaching 15,000 signatures from the combined online and paper signatures, and can be signed at www.change.org/protectrushcliffe

Rushcliffe Labour Party

Plans to merge local councils in Nottinghamshire will be beneficial in the long term for the people of Rushcliffe, says the chair of Rushcliffe Labour Party.

Speaking at his party’s annual meeting in West Bridgford, Lewis McAulay told members that the current two-tier structure of a county and boroughs was outdated, and many local residents didn’t fully understand it.

“As a community in Rushcliffe, we’ve got to be open to suggestions,” he said.

“When people realistically look at what the county and districts and boroughs do, they’ll realise the borough doesn’t have much responsibility, yet somewhere like Rushcliffe is holding onto a lot of money.

“What’s new can be challenging and scary for some, but what’s new can also be much better for Rushcliffe.

“In the long term, any changes will be beneficial for the council tax payers of Rushcliffe.”

Mr McAulay, who is also chair of Gotham Parish Council, was elected to serve for a third term to lead Rushcliffe’s constituency Labour Party, which has almost 900 members – one of the largest in the Midlands.

Reviewing the last year, he said it was fantastic to win the General Election and secure James Naish as Rushcliffe’s first Labour MP since 1966. However, he recognised that May’s county council elections had been very disappointing for Labour locally.

“The issue of the Winter Fuel Allowance was difficult for us in Rushcliffe and it took its toll on our vote. But the recent U-turn by the government is welcome and James has worked hard to get the government to think again.”

An active trade unionist and father of three young children, Mr McAulay urged local party members to remain upbeat.

“When the next elections come round, it’ll be for a new authority and that‘ll bring new optimism and energy to our campaigning,” he added.

Rushcliffe: Labour and Tories at odds over councils merging under new reforms

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