Rushcliffe residential area could get its own parish council

There are plans for a Rushcliffe community to get its own parish council after residents called for more say on local issues.

Some residents in Upper Saxondale, near Radcliffe on Trent, hailed it as a “brilliant idea”.

Parish councils are the most local level of elected local government which represent the interests of their communities.

They are funded through an additional charge on council tax bills called a ‘precept’.

Each parish council decides the charge to residents depending on what services and facilities it provides.

- Advertisement -

At its full council meeting on September 29, Rushcliffe Borough Council will discuss the creation of an Upper Saxondale Parish Council, with seven councillors.

Residents in Upper Saxondale currently pay for these services as part of Radcliffe-on-Trent parish or Cropwell Butler parish depending on where they live.

The proposed change would mean a separate parish is created in the area.

A petition with 233 signatures was brought forward by the community of Upper Saxondale in December 2021, which triggered a Community Governance Review.

Now this is complete, Rushcliffe Borough councillors must now decide if there is “sufficient evidence” to create a separate parish for Upper Saxondale.

A consultation on the plans found of 163 responses (25.7% of the electorate) 95.1 per cent were in favour of setting up a new parish for Upper Saxondale.

About 900 people live in the area, which lies just east of Radliffe on Trent, on the south side of the A52.

The community was developed on the site of the former Saxondale Hospital between about 1995 and 2001.

Residents who supported the plans wrote: “I believe that having our own parish council will provide better and more targeted services for local residents.

“Also, it will provide better communication lines and clarity in responsibilities giving local residents more say over local issues.

“Upper Saxondale is a distinct community and should be represented by its
own council.”

Some of those who opposed the plans said that seven councillors for the area was too many.