By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
A motion complaining that a Nottinghamshire council hasn’t had a “a single penny” of Government Levelling Up cash will be heard this week.
Gedling Borough Council’s leader, Councillor John Clarke MBE (Lab), says the local authority is “bitterly disappointed” by the lack of funding from Central Government.
The Labour-controlled council has previously bid for £50m to revitalise Arnold town centre and then £20m in a revised bid, which was also rejected.
Rushcliffe Borough Council, which is run by Conservatives, has also failed to secure any of the money to date.
However, it says its bids have been smaller and less frequent than other councils.
Other local authorities have been awarded between £37million (Broxtowe) and £91million (Ashfield).
Cllr Clarke’s motion will go before Gedling’s full council meeting on Wednesday (November 15), urging the Government to provide its “fair share”.
“This Council expresses bitter disappointment and anger that the Conservative government has chosen not to give Gedling a single penny from the billions of pounds it has allocated as part of the Towns Fund (July 2021), Levelling Up Fund Round 1 (October 2021), Future High Streets Fund (December 2021), Levelling Up Fund Round 2 (January 2023), Levelling Up Partnerships (March 2023), Long Term Plan for Towns Fund (October 2023),” the motion reads.
“This council notes the unfairness and significant disparity when comparing the funds allocated to our nearest neighbouring councils and the fact Gedling’s communities have not received a single penny.”
It says local communities “are being held back by the Conservative Government’s decision not to award Gedling a single penny from the billions of pounds it has allocated.”
The motion seems likely to pass as the council is Labour controlled.
The authority will then call on Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, to allocate funding more evenly.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities was approached for comment.
The full breakdown of Levelling Up funds, according to Cllr Clarke’s motion, across Nottinghamshire councils is:
- Ashfield District – £91.980 million
- Bassetlaw District – £55.969 million
- Broxtowe Borough – £37.639 million
- Gedling Borough – £0
- Mansfield District – £72.300 million
- Newark & Sherwood District – £65.000 million
- Nottingham City – £50.524 million
- Rushcliffe Borough – £0
