Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, who is one of the Gamston Ward Councillors on Rushcliffe Borough Council, has criticised the Labour Budget amendment presented at the RBC Full Council meeting on 6th March, which would have seen a 72% increase in what residents pay in West Bridgford, Edwalton, and the unparished area of Gamston.
Rushcliffe Borough Council currently undertakes the role a Town Council would perform, charging a Special Expense instead of a Town Council precept. For this, they are responsible for services such as play parks, open spaces, and community halls.
Cllr Wheeler told the Wire: “I couldn’t believe that the Labour Group put forward an amendment which would see such a huge increase for residents, adding a new level of bureaucracy where most of the money would go on paying staff and expenses rather than services.
“What was even more astonishing was that some Councillors from the Green Party, Rushcliffe Independents, and East Leake Independents spoke in favour of the amendment. Thankfully, the Conservative Group were able to ensure our budget got through and prevent this extra burden on residents.
“The Special Expense has delivered the refurbished play parks at Alford Road, Greythorn Park, Boundary Road, The Hook, and Bridgford Park, to name a few. Bridgfield is currently being refurbished, with West Park to follow. There is also the new community hall being built on the edge of Edwalton and West Bridgford. Even with the increase of less than £6 for Band D residents this year, to help pay for the huge investment we are seeing, residents pay less than those living in Bingham, Cotgrave, Radcliffe-on-Trent, and Ruddington, to name just a few.
“The amendment talked about more democracy for West Bridgford. It is worth noting that at the last set of elections, only two parish councils in all of Rushcliffe had elections, and no Town Council did. This is because of a lack of interest in being a Parish or Town Councillor, meaning over 90% of councils had vacancies or co-opted people without an election. Hardly democratic!
“In West Bridgford, there are committees at Rushcliffe Borough Council, such as the West Bridgford Special Expense Group, which is cross-party, and the scrutiny, cabinet, and full council meetings debate and vote on West Bridgford issues. So, moving to a Town Council would, in my view, be less democratic, more expensive for residents, and could lead to a reduction in services.
“The final insult was proposing residents pay an extra 5% increase on the Special Expense this year to fund a consultation on a Town Council, when this can be done another way through a community petition.
“While we fight any move to make us join the City Council, we do not know what the future of local government will be in Rushcliffe. It is madness to go down the Town Council route and increase the financial burden on residents, which will not improve services.”
Labour Motion to Amend the Proposed Council Budget 2025-26 – See full document here.
• Town Council: West Bridgford urged to ‘take back control’ by Labour Group
